Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly including a conduit and a core element movably supported by the conduit and extending therefrom to provide a variable extending length of the core element between the conduit and one end of the core element. The extending length defines a line of force. An integral terminal member is disposed on the extended length for operatively interconnecting the core element to a control member to translate movement therebetween along the line of force. The terminal member includes a pocket extending therein and defining an axis perpendicular to the line of force. The pocket includes lips extending radially therein for retaining a ball pin of the control member within the pocket and is characterized by the terminal member including a plurality of slots extending radially from the axis defined by the pocket at an angle relative to the line of force.

Abstract: A ball joint for connecting rod parts having a ball socket (1) of flexible plastic at the end of a shaft (2) in order to receive a ball head (4). In order to facilitate the assembling of the ball joint while retaining the customary pulling-out forces, it is proposed that a wall section of the ball socket (1) be developed as a yoke-shaped part (5, 12) developed in one piece thereon, which can be engaged together with the ball head (4) into the ball socket (1).

Abstract: A ball joint comprises a ball stud containing a ball at the leading end thereof, a socket incorporating therein a receptacle for admitting of the ball, and a resilient metallic ring containing a cut therein and adapted to retain the ball rotatably within the receptacle. The receptacle is formed of a main body and an auxiliary body adapted to be attached fast to the main body, and at least the main body is formed of a plastic material. Retention of the ball within the socket is accomplished by setting the resilient metallic ring in position within the receptacle before attachment of the auxiliary body to the main body, driving the ball into the receptacle thereby causing the equator of the ball to widen the cut in the resilient metallic ring and slide past the ring, and consequently enabling the ring to get hold of the ball.

Abstract: The invention provides a ball-and-socket joint comprising two joint components one of which is constituted by a ball having a convex spherical surface integrally connected to a supporting rod, while the other joint component is constituted by a socket having a concave spherical surface partially surrounding said ball and frictionally connected thereto, wherein at least one of said components comprises a plurality of elements each of which defines a spherical surface section complementary to the spherical surface of the other joint component, said elements being pressed in substantially radial directions with their respective spherical surface sections, by biasing means, against the spherical surface of the other joint component.

Abstract: A motion transmitting remote control assembly (10) for transmitting motion in a curved path including a conduit (12) and rod member (16) movably supported by the conduit (12) and extending therefrom to provide a variable extending length of the rod member (16) between the conduit (12) and one end (18) of the rod member (16). An integral terminal member (22) is disposed on the extended length of the rod member 16 for operatively interconnecting the rod member (16) and a control member (24). The terminal member (22) includes a pocket (28) defining an axis and lips (30) disposed about the pocket (b 28) for retaining a portion of the control member (24) within the pocket (28). A plurality of slots (32) extend from the pocket (28) substantially to the outer surface of the terminal member (22) and are parallel to the axis defined by the pocket (28) so as to divide the terminal member (22 ) into a plurality of portions (36, 38).

Abstract: A fastener for interconnecting a door lock operating lever and an actuating rod includes two abutting members of plastic material interlocked with each other. The members cooperatively provide a longitudinally extending cylindrical cavity receiving the rod. One of the members has an integral extension which is releasably secured to the operating lever whereby the fastener interconnects the rod and the lever.

Abstract: A plastic ball socket extruded in one piece for a ball-and-socket joint having a shaft 5 and a ball end 8, the axis of the joint in standard position being lateral to shaft 5. The ball socket is divided by slot 13 extending into the area of its shaft 5. A cover-shaped locking part 4 to hold legs 11, 12 of ball socket 1 together is provided in the region of the open end of slot 13, consisting of two side sections 18, 19 and yoke part 20 connecting the two side sections 18 and 19 with each other. The one side section 18 has a projection 17 fitting over lip 16 arranged on the one leg 12 when locking part 4 holds the two legs 11, 12 together. The free end of the other side section 19 is connected with the other leg 11 via an elastic area forming a hinge strip 26.

Abstract: An artificial leg has a ball and socket ankle joint, the socket of which has upper and lower portions. They are connected together and clamped over the ball by a turnbuckle ring. This provides an adjustable shin and foot connection which permits use of a rubber-encased ball of sufficient size, without taking up too much shape within the ankle region. Also disclosed is a movable patella member and a vertically jointed two part foam covering.

Abstract: A two-part holder for an appliance, such as a manually operable hairdryer, includes a stationary wall mounted bracket as one part and a relatively movable appliance clamping portion as the other part. The clamping portion may be clamped about an appliance and quickly connected to and quickly removed from the stationary bracket without manipulating any fastening mechanism. An abutment projecting from the bracket retains the electric supply cord of an appliance out of the user's way.

Abstract: A ball joint including a ball member having a ball end, a socket member having a recess for pivotally receiving the ball end of the ball member and a retaining ring received in the recess of the socket member for retaining the ball end of the ball member in the recess. The socket member consists of at least two components of synthetic resin material, and the components are welded together by supersonic welding process.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint for supporting the body of a dumper truck has an upright stem, designed to be fixed to the body of the truck, with a ball head positioned in a socket on the chassis of the truck so that the stem is upright when the body is horizontal. The socket has two or three cutouts in its upper edge for receiving the stem of the ball when the body of the truck is in any one of the positions of dumping. On the side of the socket having no such cutout, the socket has a keeper nosepiece extending outwardly therefrom which, in turn, pivotally supports a locking lever which has a spring for forcing it against the ball within the socket to lock it in position. The springs are generally upright and have their top ends joined with a top end of the locking lever and their lower ends joined with a part of the socket so that the locking part is levered about a turnpin of the pivotal support offset from a straight line joining the ends of the springs.

Abstract: An arrangement for connecting an air filter for automotive vehicles to an associated carburetor. The filter including a cap and a housing having at least one sleeve projecting from the bottom wall thereof. Said sleeve being closed at its free end by a cross wall provided with a slot which is registerable with complimentary slots in the cap. A connecting device comprising a seat for the end of a pin permanently fixed to said carburetor and projecting from it. The seat is in an insert having on its outer surface two diametrically opposite ribs adapted to engage teeth provided on surfaces facing each other of two diametrically opposite legs when the insert, on moving upwardly, penetrates between the legs, thereby catching the end of the pin. At the end of the connecting device opposite the seat is a head adapted to be received through said registerable slots and rotated relative thereto to thereby secure the assembled filter relative to the carburetor.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint for a multiarticulate arm includes two cylindrical bodies forming phalanges each ending in a pair of jaws which contact a hollow sphere limited by two parallel planes essentially equidistant from the center of the sphere, with the hollow central part of the cylindrical bodies and of the sphere serving as a passage for the device for synchronizing the movements of the phalanges.

Abstract: A ball and socket connector. A socket frame includes a pair of half tubes welded together with the opposite distal ends forming sockets bearingly receiving ball-shaped ends of a pair of elements. The half tubes are connected together at a location remote from the sockets thereby spring-biasing the socket-forming members against the ball-shaped ends. Planar surfaces are provided within each socket allowing the ball-shaped ends to contact the half tubes along a line of contact.

Abstract: An improved anchor for the upper portion of a shoulder harness belt in a vehicle restraint system. An anchor member having a substantial force transmitting relationship with the shoulder harness belt, preferably through a webbing relay, has a certain degree of universal type movement, and therefore allows the anchor member and the webbing relay to make appropriate movements to follow the many odd angles and twists which the webbing relay may be subjected to. The anchorage is further designed to transmit high forces between the webbing relay and the frame of the vehicle.

Abstract: An interconnecting device for use with a plurality of spaced floating breakwater columns comprising a plurality of spaced spherical elements wherein each element is encompassed by a pair of flanged hemispherical plate members. A hollow rubber spherical member is secured to the interior surface of the hemispherical plate members and abuttingly engages the spherical element. A pair of plate members interconnect the flanged hemispherical plate members to provide an integral assembly unit with the rubber element providing resiliency. Each spherical element has an outwardly projecting hub that is flanged to permit its attachment to the breakwater columns.

Abstract: A coupler for a trailer and the like, the coupler having a body and cap hinged together at a front portion and closeable along parting faces and having an internal cavity formed by the body and the cap for the ball which is conventionally secured to either the trailer or the towing vehicle. The body forms a major portion of the ball cavity and includes a ball centering upper surface which extends substantially laterally across the upper surface of the cavity, forming a self-centering bearing surface for the ball. An automatic closing device is formed on a front portion of the cap and body wherein insertion of the ball into the ball cavity automatically closes the cap with respect to the body. The closing device includes a protrusion on the cap at an opposite side of the hinge where the cap encloses the ball cavity. The protrusion extends through an aperture in the body and projects into the ball cavity when the cap is in an open position.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring conductively connecting a heater on the window pane in the tail gate of a station wagon to a battery is mounted between ball-and-socket joints whose plastic socket parts are equipped with barbs permitting insertion of the ball part without tools, but preventing accidental release.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint cap having a plurality of elastic latching elements for accepting a ball therein, each of said elastic latching elements being locked in installed position by a rigid member positioned behind the latching element and each locking member being simultaneously activated by a common operator so that the latching elements are all simultaneously locked for retention of the ball. The cap has secondary means for attachment to a rod and/or for mounting it in an apertured panel.

Abstract: A socket for use in a ball and socket joint comprising a bearing basket having a bearing seat to accommodate the pivot ball with a resilient interlocking element to retain the pivot ball in the bearing seat and a displacement member positively locking the resilient element after the ball has been seated.

Abstract: A reusable device is presented for effecting a mechanical connection between two elements that are substantially coaxial, the elements subject to traction stresses with reference to each other, and the elements disconnectable beyond a specific traction threshold. The device includes a casing, with a first half and a second half, integrally connected to one of the elements, the casing having a cavity formed between said halves, and said casing comprising elastic material. The other element includes a bulge comprising, for example, a spherical swivel joint that is received in the cavity, the portion of said halves adjacent said cavity separable as the bulge passes into the cavity.

Abstract: A preloaded tie-rod end assembly for a motor vehicle steering system and a method for making the assembly is disclosed. The tie rod end is made by positioning the ball of a ball stud against a pair of frangible bearings within the socket portion of a tie rod end housing. A plastically deformable element is also situated within the housing. A closure member for the housing exerts a force against the bearings during the assembly operation and causes each bearing to fracture into circumferentially spaced bearing pieces. After the tie rod end is assembled, an axial load is placed upon the ball stud which is transferred to the deformable element thereby causing it to deform. The element is deformed to the extent necessary to bring the frictional resistance to rotation of the ball stud about its own axis within a prescribed torque range.

Abstract: A coupling assembly adapted for releasably connecting a sidecar to a motorcycle includes a first coupling member attached to the motorcycle and having a ball-shaped portion with a first lateral dimension adjacent to second portions with a second lateral dimension greater than the first lateral dimension. A second coupling member is attached to the sidecar and has a bell-shaped configuration. Retaining means for engaging the ball-shaped portion of the first coupling member includes a plurality of fingers resiliently expandable to the second lateral dimension to receive the ball-shaped portion and contractable to the first lateral dimension to substantially enclose the ball-shaped portion. Screw means extending through the second coupling member draws the retaining means into the second coupling member. In this position the second coupling member prevents the expansion of the fingers from the first lateral dimension to the second lateral dimension thereby coupling the sidecar to the motorcycle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a spacer-damper for electrical transmission cables or the like. A rigid spacer composed of mating half-sections has defined at its extremities hollow spherical sockets for receiving the spherical end portions of individual cable connector structures. The opposite ends of the connectors are fashioned for effecting a gripping connection with a cable. A resilient damping material is interposed between the spherical connector end portions and their associated receiving sockets and the damping material is secured to both the ball and the socket so that on pivoting of the connector arm attendant cable vibration or oscillation the damping material is placed in shear to effect a damping action.

Abstract: A downwardly extending radial arm having a hook-shaped end portion for engaging milk hoses is secured to a generally horizontal cow stall mounting rail by a self-lubricating ball and socket joint. The ball is secured to the mounting rail by a diametrically extending bolt either received through the mounting rail or through a sleeve around the rail. The socket member is formed of separable halves which upwardly clamp the ball and downwardly clamp an upper end of the support arm by a clamping bolt extending through the socket member halves.