Abstract: An end fitting device is provided for axially adjustable connection of an end portion of a motion transmitting cable to an actuating member. The end fitting device comprises a housing having a receiving space adapted for receiving the end portion of the cable via a cable entry; a connector member comprising a ball pin receiver adapted for engaging a ball pin, and having an engaged state and a disengaged state; a locking element adapted for locking the axial position of the cable end portion relative to the housing and being movable between a non-locking position and a locking position; and a force bridge connected to the locking element such that the locking element is displaced from its non-locking position to its locking position when an engaging force is applied to the end fitting device in order to bring the connector member into its engaged state.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a linear drive for an adjustment element of a vehicle, with a drive train for generating a driving force along a geometrical drive axis between two coupling points, one of the coupling points comprising a joint part for discharging the driving force, which joint part, in the mounted state, forms a ball and socket joint with a mating joint part, the joint part having a bearing portion, a joining part arranged thereon and a connecting portion arranged thereon. The connecting portion serves for the connection of at least one drive train component of the linear drive to the joint part and has at least one connecting formation which is in engagement with the relevant drive train component, and wherein at least one part of the bearing portion is configured integrally together with the joining part and the connecting portion from at least one plastics material.

Abstract: A variable displacement transmission pump having a controller for adjusting the displaced volume, which controller actuates corresponding adjuster actuators of the adjustable pump via a control valve, so that the pump can be adjusted from minimum to maximum displaced volume in order to achieve a constant pump outlet pressure for supplying a hydraulically operated transmission, wherein for different operating points of both the adjustable pump and the transmission, the input variables of the controller are adjusted in such a way that, independently of the individual operating points, the overall damping of the control system comprising pump and transmission—that is, using corresponding influence variables from these systems—can be maintained substantially constant under variable operating conditions by means of adjustable controller amplification.

Abstract: A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.

Abstract: A countertop device and related methods of use in food preparation for rotatably coupling a kitchen utensil to an anchored retention member. The countertop device can include a kitchen utensil having a manipulation end and a retaining end. The retention member can have a retention body defining a suction cup on a mounting surface. The retention member can be anchored to a flat surface using the suction cup. A retaining ball and socket mount can be utilized to rotatably attach the kitchen utensil to the retention member. The kitchen utensil can include a manipulation member and a mounting member capable of positioning a food item there between.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a power transmission device includes a variable displacement vane pump including a moveable control ring for varying the displacement of the pump. A linear actuator directly acts on the control ring for moving the control ring between maximum and minimum pump displacement positions. The linear actuator includes an electric motor for rotating a drive member. The drive member engages a driven actuator shaft to cause linear translation of the actuator shaft in response to rotation of the drive member. A control system includes a controller for signaling the actuator to extend or retract the actuator shaft to vary the pump displacement.

Abstract: An actuating device comprising an actuating element that is moved by a ball stud relative to a base comprising a ball socket. The actuating element can move relative to the base, within at least one pivot plane, between at least two shift positions. At least one recess of the ball socket has an elastic surface area which is flexible in the direction along the radius of the ball socket. The flexible elastic surface area has a centrally arranged pressure contact element, which bears against the joint ball. In a neutral position of the elastic surface area, the contact surface of the pressure contact element is at a distance away from the mid-point of the ball socket which is smaller than the radius of the joint ball, such that it possible to produce actuating devices which are robust in operation and free from play.

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).

Abstract: A suspension arm may include a metal portion including a hemispherical metal ball housing, a metal bushing housing, and a metal connecting portion, one end of the metal connecting portion being connected to the metal ball housing and the other end of the metal connecting portion being connected to the metal bushing housing, a bearing, made of synthetic resin material, disposed in and coupled to the metal ball housing, a ball stud, one end of which is disposed in and coupled to the bearing, and a reinforcement member, made of synthetic resin material, wrapping the metal portion and connecting the bearing to the metal ball housing.

Abstract: A friction ball joint and a method for using the friction ball joint are provided. A clam shell is formed from at least two segments. The interior of the clam shell segment, where the ball is in contact, is roughened. The clam shell segments may be interlocked to retain a ball. The surface of the ball is roughened. When the friction ball joint is assembled, the rough surfaces of the ball and the clam shell segments are in contact and resist movement.

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).

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

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a joint. A ball is mounted on a pin. Spherical surfaces on at least two socket parts are machined. Grinding paste is applied on the ball and/or on the surfaces of the socket parts. The pin is connected to an equipment that rotates the ball. The ball is assembled between the socket parts. A pressure is applied between the socket parts and the ball. The ball is rotated and tilted over the working range of the joint. The ball and the socket parts are cleaned from the grinding paste. The joint is assembled by mounting the socket parts on a ball. A robot obtainable with the method.

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.

Abstract: Socket housing has a hemispherical ball socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced retaining tongues which extend toward an insertion opening, the tongues being radially pivotable to engage over the equator of a ball head. An outer part has an insertion region and a receiving opening into which the socket housing can be inserted in an insertion direction via the insertion region, the insertion region having an inside surface defining an opening with a cross-sectional area which is larger than a cross-sectional area defined by an inside surface of the receiving opening. The retaining tongues are in contact with the inside surface of the receiving opening when the socket housing is in the installed position. A locking device prevents movement of the socket housing counter to the insertion direction when the socket housing is in the installed position.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint has high stability of the bearing shell and hence of the joint and reduces the transmitted structure-borne noise from the viewpoint of increased comfort with a bearing shell design with at least two layers. The inner layer is formed of a metal and the outer layer of a plastic such as polyoxymethylene.

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.

Abstract: A bearing structure comprises a sphere, a base structure, and a plurality of adjusting elements. The base structure has an opening. The opening is abutted against a perimeter of the diameter of the sphere. The adjusting elements are disposed on two opposite edges of the base structure for adjusting the elasticity between the sphere and the base structure. The sphere rotates on the boarding structure freely so that a bearing structure with a universal rotating angle is formed.

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.

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.

Abstract: An exemplary rotatable joint (100) includes a socket (10), a rotatable arm (20), and a connecting device (30) configured for being mounted in the socket. The connecting device includes a sub-socket (31), two elastic sleeves (33), and two pivot shafts (35) fixed to the socket. The sub-socket includes a first half (311) and a second half (312). A pivot hole (315, 316) is defined in each of the first half and the second half for engaging with an outer surface (331) of one of the elastic sleeves. An outer surface (351) of each of the pivot shafts engages with an inner surface (332) of one of the elastic sleeves. A through hole (317) is defined in the sub-socket for rotatably engaging with the rotatable arm. Each of the elastic sleeves abuts the rotatable arm.

Abstract: Socket housing has a hemispherical ball socket and a plurality of circumferentially spaced retaining tongues which extend toward an insertion opening, the tongues being radially pivotable to engage over the equator of a ball head. An outer part has an insertion region and a receiving opening into which the socket housing can be inserted in an insertion direction via the insertion region, the insertion region having an inside surface defining an opening with a cross-sectional area which is larger than a cross-sectional area defined by an inside surface of the receiving opening. The retaining tongues are in contact with the inside surface of the receiving opening when the socket housing is in the installed position. A locking device prevents movement of the socket housing counter to the insertion direction When the socket housing is in the installed position.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for a motor vehicle, and especially for the chassis of the motor vehicle, with a ball-and-socket joint housing is provided with a joint opening (6), in which housing there is arranged a bearing shell (5). The ball-and-socket joint has a ball pivot (3) with a pin (2) and with a joint ball (1), which is rotatably and pivotably mounted in the bearing shell (5), in which case the pin extends out of the ball-and-socket joint housing (4) through the bearing shell (5) and the joint opening (6). The bearing shell (5) is made at least partially of a plastic mixed with an anti-adhesive material and reinforced with fibers.

Abstract: A bearing shell for a ball and socket joint made of plastic as well as the ball and socket joint per se, wherein the bearing shell has first areas, which are subject to higher mechanical loads than the other areas of the bearing shell, wherein the material of the bearing shell forming the first areas is formed from a reinforced plastic, and the other areas are made of a less reinforced or unreinforced plastic.

Abstract: A ball socket ring seal for use with a ball joint assembly eliminates the need for a boot or bellows to protect the ball joint against the environment. The ball socket ring seal of the invention is positioned between the ball and the socket at the point of contact between the ball and socket. The ball socket ring seal not only provides a seal against the environment, it further functions as a wiper for the ball during articulation of the ball stud. The ball socket ring seal of the present invention reduces the weight and complexity of the ball joint assembly through the elimination of several parts, including the known boots or bellows, retainer rings, bands and clips.

Abstract: A connection for a rod and pin includes a two piece housing molded from hard plastic which defining a cavity enclosing a soft elastomeric isolator on one end of the rod. The housing pieces also define a pin receiving cavity with retention prongs which engage and hold a pin inserted therein. The housing pieces are able to be snap fit assembled by interfitting prongs and receptacles formed on each housing piece. The housing pieces are molded together as one part, connected by an integral hinge allowing the housing parts to be swung into abutment with each other to be snap fit together.

Abstract: A piston arrangement for master and/or slave cylinders of a hydraulic actuating device for clutch and/or brake systems on motor vehicles is disclosed. An insert is inserted into a recess of the piston up to a first stop, the insert having a ball seat and an expandable insertion sleeve which is undercut with respect to the ball seat and protrudes with its expandable region. A ram is pushed into the sleeve with its ball end until it snaps into the ball seat. As the ram is further pressed axially, the insert slides over the first stop, is firmly pressed into a narrow hole section of the recess and strikes a second stop at the inner end of the recess. The insertion sleeve is then tightly enclosed by the piston wall and can no longer expand even in the event of very high pull-out forces, i.e. cannot release the ball end of the ram.

Abstract: A ball joint having a housing with a cylindrical cavity that has an open receiving end and a closed retaining end receives a polymeric insert and a non-deformable insert therein. The polymeric insert has a cylindrical outer wall that extends upwardly from a base and the interior of the insert defines a concave spherical contour. The non-deformable insert fits into a slot formed in the base of the polymeric insert and rests against the housing's bottom. A ball stud comprising a shank with a spherical ball at one end thereof snaps into the polymeric insert and the non-deformable insert. A retaining ring slips over the shank of the ball stud into the receiving end of the housing and its inner surface also has a spherical contour conforming to the spherical ball. The inserts, the ball of the ball stud and the retainer ring are held in the housing by forming the periphery of the housing at the receiving end to overlay the retaining ring.

Abstract: A process and a device are provided for mounting ball and socket joints with at least one connecting piece. A first ball and socket joint housing part (3a) is fed to a mounting device, a ball pivot (1), surrounded by a bearing shell (2), is inserted into the first ball and socket joint housing (3a). A second housing part (3b) closing the ball and socket joint is positioned at the first ball and socket joint housing part (3a). A connecting piece (4) is placed at the ball and socket joint housing (3a, 3b), and the housing parts (3a, 3b) are joined together and to the connecting piece (4) in a non-positive and positive-locking manner and/or connected via a corresponding connection (5).

Abstract: A location control mechanism includes a striker having a preferably spherically shaped lock ball and a pair of mutually adjacent socket rollers, each socket roller having a complementing preferably hemispherically shaped semi-socket which collectively provide a single preferably spherically shaped lock socket when the rollers are appropriately rotated relative to each other. The striker is connected to a first component and the socket rollers are rotatably mounted to a second component, wherein the first and second components are positionally located relative to each other by action of the lock ball being trapped in the lock socket formed when the socket rollers have been appropriately rotated.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint (1) is provided with a sleeve (2) or a pivot (3) with a partial spherical surface (4) and with a bearing shell (5) surrounding the partial spherical surface (4) in a positive-locking manner with a hollow spherical bearing surface (6). The bearing surface (6) is arranged in a two-part housing (9, 10), whose housing halves (9, 10) have locking elements (15, 16) with detents (17) and locking grooves (18) mutually engaging one another, which lock the two housing halves (9, 10) with one another in a relatively immovable manner in the direction of the longitudinal axis (13) of the sleeve (2) or of the pivot (3) in their final assembled position. The bearing surface (6) for the partial spherical surface (4) of the sleeve (2) or of the pivot (3) is integrated in the inner surfaces of the two housing halves (9, 10) and these (9, 10) are surrounded on their outer surfaces (11, 12) by a metallic ring element (8) in a positive-locking manner.

Abstract: A D-ring assembly comprising a D-ring and a load limiting device. The D-ring has a slot therethrough for receiving a seatbelt webbing and for guiding the webbing from the retractor to the torso of a vehicle occupant. The load limiting device functions by absorbing kinetic energy of the vehicle occupant during a crash to control the deceleration forces experienced by the vehicle occupant. The load limiting device has a deforming member partially embedded in a swivel ball. When a predetermined amount of force is applied on the D-ring assembly, the swivel ball rotates causing the deforming member to create a channel in the load-limiting device.

Abstract: A ceramic ball-and-socket joint for a motor vehicle, especially for the chassis of the motor vehicle, is provided, in which the ball-and-socket joint has a ball-and-socket joint housing (5) provided with a joint opening (7) and a ball pivot provided with a joint ball (1) and with a pivot (13), which said ball pivot is mounted rotatably and pivotably with its joint ball (1) in a bearing shell (2) arranged in the ball-and-socket joint housing (5), wherein the ball pivot protrudes with its pivot (13) from the ball-and-socket joint housing (5) through the joint opening (7). The bearing shell (2) is divided into at least two separate bearing shell parts (3, 4), wherein the joint ball (1) and the bearing shell (13) are made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A load-transmitting arrangement (14) with articulated function for taking up and transmitting a pedal force, in particular a brake pedal force, is described. A braking device (10) of a brake system comprising the load-transmitting arrangement (14) is further described. The load-transmitting arrangement (14) has a first load-transmitting member (20), which has a receiving sleeve (20A) for a second load-transmitting member (22), an end of the second load-transmitting member (22) that projects into the receiving sleeve (20A) engaging behind a snap element (30B), which locks the second load-transmitting member (22) against withdrawal from the receiving sleeve (20A). The end of the second load-transmitting member (22) that engages behind the snap device (30) is a joint head, which is supported pivotally inside the receiving sleeve (20A). The second load-transmitting member (22) is coupled movably to a support device (32), against which the snap element (30B) is non-pivotally supported.

Abstract: The invention provides a ball-and-socket assembly having a ball element including a ball portion and a socket housing including a socket formed by a flexible socket wall for receiving and releasably retaining the ball portion in the socket. The ball-and-socket assembly also includes a sleeve mounted on the socket housing and movable relative to the socket between an engaged position, in which the sleeve reinforces the flexible socket wall such that the socket wall retains the ball portion in the socket, and a disengaged position, in which the socket wall is not reinforced by the sleeve and the ball portion is receivable in the socket and releasable from the socket.

Abstract: A bearing shell for ball-and-socket joints or ball sleeve joints is provided with an inner hollow spherically designed bearing surface (3). The bearing shell has an outer cylindrically designed support surface with which the bearing shell can be inserted into a joint housing. The bearing shell has a multipart design with at least two shell parts (1, 2), which can be detachably coupled with one another by a clamping device (6, 8). The parting plane between the half shells extends in the direction of the central longitudinal axis (10) of the bearing shell.

Abstract: A rotary cutter includes a hitch comprising upper and lower arm sections which define a parallel linkage extending between the deck of the rotary cutter and a ball clevis forming a forward end of the hitch. The ball clevis includes identical upper and lower halves which include block-like rear portions that are clamped together so that a ball is releasably retained between ring-like front portions of the clevis. Leveling of the deck is accomplished by a pair of adjustable leveling mechanism respectively coupled between rear parts of the separate arm sections and the deck. Provision is made for mounting a jack stand to one side of the clevis and for storing the jack stand on the deck.

Abstract: A terminal assembly for connecting a core member of a remote control cable assembly to a control member includes a housing, an isolator secured to the housing with a snap-fit connection and having a deflectable wall at least partially forming a passage for receiving the control member, an adjuster movable between an installed position wherein the adjuster prevents outward deflection of the wall away from the passage and an uninstalled position wherein the wall is free to outwardly deflect away from the passage. The adjuster is secured to the isolator with a snap-fit connection in the installed position. The isolator includes a flange within the passage which is adapted to cooperate with the control member to secure the control member to the isolator when the adjuster is in the installed position.

Abstract: A tie rod end having a purgative zerk for removal of used lubricants is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, the tie rod end includes a socket member that defines a first bore in which a ball stud member is disposed and a second bore in communication with the first bore. The purgative zerk is disposed in the second bore. In a second embodiment of the invention, the purgative zerk is disposed in a plug used to close one end of the first bore. The use and location of the purgative zerk enable purge holes to be eliminated from a boot seal disposed at one end of the first bore thereby reducing contamination of the tie rod end.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connecting ball joint (10), for example an anti-roll bar of a running vehicle, the ball joint (10) comprising a straight support (20) running along a general axis of elongation (xx′) and an elastically deformable member (30) mounted around the support (20). The ball joint has the characteristic that its elastically deformable member (30) comprises at least one laminated structure (35; 135) made up of (a) layer(s) (32) of elastically deformable flexible material and of (a) layer(s) (34) of more rigid material.

Abstract: A load-transmitting arrangement (14) with articulated function for taking up and transmitting a pedal force, in particular a brake pedal force, is described. A braking device (10) of a brake system comprising the load-transmitting arrangement (14) is further described. The load-transmitting arrangement (14) has a first load-transmitting member (20), which has a receiving sleeve (20A) for a second load-transmitting member (22), an end of the second load-transmitting member (22) that projects into the receiving sleeve (20A) engaging behind a snap element (30B), which locks the second load-transmitting member (22) against withdrawal from the receiving sleeve (20A). The end of the second load-transmitting member (22) that engages behind the snap device (30) is a joint head, which is supported pivotally inside the receiving sleeve (20A). The second load-transmitting member (22) is is coupled movably to a support device (32), against which the snap element (30B) is non-pivotally supported.

Abstract: A self-centering ball and socket joint for connecting parts requiring restricted angular movement in a pre-established direction, and free rotary movement in a corresponding direction. The joint is comprised of a spherical pin (01) with an encased end, and an opposite exposed end. The encased end of the spherical pin (01) is comprised of first (09) and second (10) hemispheres, disposed within a bearing assembly (02, 03). The first hemisphere has a relatively larger diameter (09), than the second hemisphere (10). The hemispheres (09, 10) interact with the bearing assembly (02, 03) to continuously urge the spherical pin (01) to return to a pre-determined position. Although the invention has broad potential applicability, its primary uses are in motor vehicle tie rod steering and suspension systems.

Abstract: A ball sleeve joint with a joint housing has a ball sleeve provided with a preferably spherically designed bearing surface. A bearing shell surrounds the bearing surface and is accommadated in a recess of the joint housing. The joint housing is formed from at least two housing parts. The housing parts have corresponding elastic toothed elements. The toothed elements are locked with one another in the assembled state of the joint housing.

Abstract: A spherical joint for coupling three or more links together at one point. The joint includes a bail and a hollow spherical body wrapping the ball therein. The ball is movable in the hollow spherical body. An upper link inserted into and fixed to the hollow spherical body through an upper link insertion opening formed on the hollow spherical body. Lower links are connected to the hollow spherical body through lower link insertion openings, wherein the number of the lower links correspond to that of the hollow spherical body. Link support discs are set within a gap between outer surface of the central ball and inner surface of the hollow spherical body and fixed to each end of the lower link, and all the axes of the lower links and the upper link are coincident with a center point of the ball.

Abstract: A light adjustment device for a laser resonant socket having a laser base having a housing that defines a laser chamber that retains a laser diode therein, and a fixing seat disposed at one end of the housing. The light adjustment device further includes an upper cover that is removably coupled with the fixing seat to define a spherical groove, and an adjuster body having a ball and an adjusting shaft, with a resonant socket room defined in the ball, and with a laser resonant socket retained inside the socket room. The ball is seated inside the spherical groove in a manner such that the ball can be pivoted inside the spherical groove to adjust the orientation of the ball and the adjusting shaft with respect to the laser base.

Abstract: It comprises a plurality of elements for attaching each panel to a fixed structure, said laminated glass panels being formed by at least two sheets of glass and by at the least one intermediate union sheet inserted between each two sheets of glass and is characterised in that the attaching elements are fixed to the minimum of one intermediate union sheet.

Abstract: A modular pipe node structure for joining pipe members is provided having first, second, third, and fourth complementary quadrant units. Each of the complementary quadrant units have first and second joining surfaces. Thus, when the second joining surface of the first unit is coupled to the first joining surface of the second unit, the second joining surface of the second unit is coupled to the first joining surface of the third unit, the second joining surface of the third unit is coupled to first surface of the fourth unit and the second joining surface of the fourth unit coupled to the first joining surface of the first unit, the joined together first, second, third and fourth units form a generally spherical structure having a first through-bore located on an x-axis of the sphere, a second through-bore located on a second y axis of the sphere, and a third through-bore located on a third z-axis of the sphere. Each of the through-bores are configured to receive individual pipe members.

Abstract: A ball sleeve joint with a joint housing has a ball sleeve provided with a preferably spherically designed bearing surface. A bearing shell surrounds the bearing surface and is accommodated in a recess of the joint housing. The joint housing is formed from at least two housing parts. The housing parts have corresponding elastic toothed elements. The toothed elements are locked with one another in the assembled state of the joint housing.

Abstract: A dual load path spherical bearing (10) comprises a bearing race (12) and a bearing ball (14). The bearing race (12) comprises a bearing race first half (16) and a bearing race second half (22) adapted to interface with the bearing race first half to form a bearing ball cage. The bearing ball (14) is rotatably caged in the bearing ball cage. The bearing ball (14) comprises a bearing ball first half (30), and a bearing ball second half (32) adapted to interface with the bearing ball first half. The bearing race (12) further comprises a bearing race first half (16) having a coupling shaft with an internally and externally threaded half shaft, and a bearing race second half (22) adapted to interface with the bearing race first half (16) to form a bearing ball cage and having a coupling shaft with an internally and externally threaded half shaft.

Abstract: Spherical mountings are useful for pivotally connecting a push arm of a blade to a track roller frame of a machine. When the blade is removed the bearing assembly must be disassembled and to reconnect the blade to the spherical mounting the bearing assembly needed to shimmed to obtain the correct gap or clearance between the bearing and the spherical mounting. The subject mounting arrangement includes a mounting assembly having a first end portion removeably connected to the push arm of a blade and a second end portion positioned around a spherical assembly and being removeably connected to a bearing assembly of the spherical assembly. This arrangement of components provides for removing the push arm of the blade from the mounting on the track roller frame without removing the bearing assembly.