Abstract: A gear shift device (100) includes a hollow, at least partially spherical retaining housing (110), a gear shift lever (120) having an at least partially spherical projection (130) received within the retaining housing (110), and means (140) for retaining the gear shift lever (120) against rotation around its longitudinal axis (125). The retaining means (140) includes at least one of grooves (150) and protrusions (160) for engaging at least one of corresponding grooves (150?) and protrusions formed in the at least partially spherical projection (130) of the gear shift lever (120), said grooves (150, 150?) and protrusions (160) being formed in the shape of two opposite cones.

Abstract: The evolutionary game system includes a combination of malleable and rigid pieces that are assembled on a series of structural ribs malleable to generate the body and limbs of a diverse number of animals. The system includes extendable components of a base body. The system also includes structural joint pieces of the base body and rigid components of the base body. The evolutionary game system allows for a combination of shapes and is adaptable to constant and demanding changes that are required by children for their games.

Abstract: The necklace clasp fastener for a string of beads consists of a male bead member, and a female bead member, that do not have any visible loop or eyelets for assembling and holding a string of beads together when the male and female bead members are snapped together. The resulting bead configured clasp is almost undetectable from the outside of the beaded necklace which creates an unbroken, unified string of beads for a much more aesthetic and beautiful piece of jewelry. The improved clasp of the invention provides a safety feature to guard against breakage. The two parts are designed to snap together with enough force to hold the necklace on the wearer under normal wear and use. If, however, the necklace catches on to something, the clasp will release easily from the wearer instead of breaking the necklace, and releasing the beads all over the place.

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 trailing or tow cycle having a tubular frame member, at least two wheels in parallel alignment, a seat member, an independent propulsion system and a journaled connection to a front cycle to provide a stable cycling system for individuals with special needs.

Abstract: A universal fastening apparatus of the present invention includes a primary clamping portion, a first ball unit, a secondary clamping portion, a second ball unit and a pressing means. The primary clamping portion has a pair of primary clamping units defining a first rotary space and a second rotary space therebetween. The second rotary space includes an annular slot. The first rotary space includes a first spherical slot for the first ball of the first ball unit to selectively-rotatably dispose therein. The secondary clamping portion has a received end and a clamping end, and includes a pair of secondary clamping units defining a third rotary space therebetween. The third rotary space includes a second spherical slot. The received end is selectively rotatably disposed in the annular slot. The second ball of the second ball unit is selectively-rotatably disposed in the second spherical slot.

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.

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 and socket joint is provided, for example, for an axle system of a motor vehicle. The joint has an essentially ring-shaped or pot-shaped joint housing (2). The ball (7) of a ball pivot (1) is received in the interior space of the joint housing (2) in a slidingly movable manner. The joint housing (2) includes a ball pivot-side and a housing cover-side housing half (4, 5). The two housing halves (4, 5) have an essentially circumferential axial stop (9). Based on the axial stop (9), the housing halves (4, 5) can be brought into contact with one another in the axial direction in an exactly defined manner. The reproducibility of tolerances in manufacture can be carefully controlled allowing manufacture at a low cost. The specific load-bearing capacity of the ball and socket joint can be increased or the dimensions of the ball and socket joint can be reduced.

Abstract: An exemplary rotatable joint (100) used for a mechanical device includes a socket (10), a rotatable arm (20), a supporting shaft (13), a fastening member (15), an adjusting member (16), and a resilient module (18). A pivot hole (212) is defined in the rotatable arm. The supporting shaft includes a first shaft portion (130) and a second shaft portion (132). A threaded hole (131) is defined in the first shaft portion and the first shaft portion extends through the pivot hole. The second shaft portion is fixed to the socket. The fastening member includes a threaded portion (152) for engaging in the threaded hole of the supporting shaft. The adjusting member is disposed at the threaded portion of the fastening member. The resilient module is disposed between the rotatable arm and the adjusting member for providing an axial resilient force. The axial resilient force is fine tuned by moving the adjusting member.

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: 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 insert configured to be received or formed in a glass plate to allow, in cooperation with a connecting element, the glass plate to be mounted on a support. The insert is designed to be received in a hole made in one face of the plate, the hole being bounded by a retaining side wall of curved profile directed toward the inside. The insert includes a fastening mechanism complementary to a mechanism carried by the connecting element for connecting the plate to the support.

Abstract: A torsion beam axle suspension is provided, in which a shock absorber is directly mounted on right and left trailing arms and is further mounted to the mount by a ball joint. Thus, it is possible to reduce the weight and production expenses, thus to enhance productivity. Further, it is possible to considerably decrease a friction caused by movement of the shock absorber even though the transverse force is applied, thus to enhance the riding comfort.

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 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 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 stamped ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to a mounting bracket comprising a base having an opening which is adapted to accept a fastener. The ball socket further comprising at least two walls extending from the base and at least two lock-in fingers protruding at an angle from the walls. The lock-in fingers and the walls of the ball socket flex to allow a pivot ball to be inserted between the lock-in fingers such that when the pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained in the ball socket by the lock-in fingers. Additionally, the base, walls, and lock-in fingers of the present invention are integrally formed by stamping a single piece of metal.

Abstract: A low insertion force snap together automotive coupler for the suspension of a vehicle includes a spherical bearing insert having a first end, a second end, a pocket adapted to engage a ball stud that is integrally formed onto a suspension component, and an axially extending annular flange. The coupler further includes a receiver adapted to receive the spherical bearing insert after the spherical bearing insert has been placed to a ball stud and to engage the flange to secure the spherical bearing insert within the receiver. The pocket within the spherical bearing insert is shaped such that an axial force tending to pull the ball stud out of the pocket will result in a radial force exerted upon the flange, thereby causing additional force to keep the flange engaged within the receiver.

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: Novel tie rod ends and ball joint combinations that are especially useful in racing vehicles in which high performance is desired. The devices provide a reduction in friction such that the required steering effort with regard to both the rotation and misalignment of tie rods can be managed to enhance the steering.

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 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 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: A base mounted lubricated ball joint utilizing a hollow socket case (20) is attached to an automobile axle or other workpiece by welding or bolting. A ball (42) is disposed within a socket (28) contained within the case and rotates freely within. A socket cap (52) is attached to the case leaving an upper portion of the ball (42) exposed, thereby permitting orbiting of the ball (42) upon its rotational axis limited only by its geometrical configuration. To utilize the invention, a shaft, a hydraulic cylinder, a table leg or a heavy machinery coupling is attached to the ball by threads. The ball joint is lubricated with grease through a grease fitting, which penetrate the joint and is distributed through grooves (36) located in both the ball and the case.

Abstract: An attachment element, including a base (1) having a bearing surface (14), a clamping member (3), and a ball (4) extending through a through-bore formed in the clamping member (3) an axis of which extends transverse to the bearing surface (14), with the ball (4) having a connection member (5) and a counter-support (88), and with the connection member (5) being rotatable relative to the ball (4) and having, at a region thereof adjacent to the base (1), a bearing element (7) projecting into the counter-support (8).

Abstract: A ball socket connector particularly adapted for connecting a gas spring shaft with a vehicle so that the gas spring may be used to hold open the vehicle's truck lid, deck lid, hood, lift glass, hatch door (in hatch type vehicles) or the rear door or gate (in minivan or sports utility type vehicles). A manually slidable plate, which is mounted on and slidable with respect to the connector body, retains the ball on a ball stud in an internal cavity in a connector body. The ball stud projects from the internal cavity through an elongated open slot in the connector body so as to permit the ball socket connector to provide four degrees of freedom of motion between the gas spring and vehicle.

Abstract: A variable displacement compressor that varies its displacement by altering the inclination of a swash plate. A drive shaft is supported rotatably within a housing. A rotor is fixed to the drive shaft. A swash plate is mounted on the drive shaft and adapted to slide and incline with respect to the shaft. A hinge mechanism operably connects the swash plate to the rotor. A plurality of pistons, each accommodated in one of the bores and coupled to the swash plate, are reciprocated in the bore by the rotation of the swash plate. The hinge mechanism includes a guide pin that projects from the swash plate and includes a joint. A support arm projects from the rotor. The support arm includes a receptacle which accommodates the joint and extends toward the drive shaft. A bushing is accommodated within the receptacle and slides along a wall of the receptacle. The bushing is provided with an interior space to accommodate the joint.

Abstract: An electrical fan having a positioning mechanism, driven by the rotation of the fan's motor, which causes the fan's head to simultaneously pivot sinusoidally and continuously about a pair of perpendicular axes to continuously redirect the airstream from the fan in a conical pattern.

Abstract: An overhead swivel hanging apparatus consisting of a mount(10) and a support(30), i.e. a grab. When assembled the apparatus is utilized to hang pendant objects, such as a plant or a bird cage, from a ceiling or the like. The mount is comprised of a base (12), a cross brace(14), a connective means(16), an ornamental shell (18), a pendant leg(20), and a spherical bearing (22) cast as a single piece. The support, mill stamped from tensile steel as a single piece, is an C-shaped hook with a widened U shaped grab(34) on the inferior aspect. On the superior aspect of the support is a slot(28) with a flange(24) which narrows posterior into keeper tabs(26). The keeper tabs are narrower than said slot which is wider than said leg. The internal surface has a concavity(32) bisected by the slot which facilitates a ball and socket integration with the bearing.

Abstract: An adjustment device for adjusting a moving portion of a motor vehicle headlight relative to a fixed portion, in particular a reflector relative to an intermediate part of the headlight, the device being of the type comprising a screw that includes a ball member received in a seat connected to one of the portions and a thread engaging in tapping connected to the other portion, wherein the ball seat and the tapping are respectively provided on two elements each including assembly means enabling it to be assembled to corresponding assembly means provided on said respective portions merely by relative displacement.

Abstract: The ball end (16) of the piston rod (14) of a linear motor (6) is mounted in a ball block (52). The block (52) has mating housing portions (54, 56) that abut along mating surfaces (64) that are substantially parallel to, but slope relative to, the motor axis (X). One housing portion includes an integral rear wall (70) through which the axis (X) extends and which defines a portion of a socket (58) that receives the ball end (16). The other housing portion has a flange (78) that projects into a space between the socket (58) and a sloping extension (74) of the wall (70). The outer surface (76) of the wall (70) is secured to a fixed support (84). The wall (70) transmits loads carried by operation of the motor (6) from the ball end (16) directly to the support (84) and minimizes loads on the fasteners (68) securing the housing portions (54, 56) together. The housing portion that includes the wall (70) is made from a material with a high load carrying capability.

Abstract: A bicycle mudguard includes a plastic moulding comprising a main aerofoil section and at one end of which a ball is provided. The ball cooperates with a pair of clamp members to form a ball and socket fitment for adjustable and releaseable attachment of the mudguard to one of mariaus members of the bicycle frame.

Abstract: A ball joint can dynamically alter the preload between the cones and the ball of the ball joint to desired levels. When the stage or other device is in motion, the preload can be reduced to provide low friction and wear. When the stage or other device is not in motion, then the preload can be increased to provide zero backlash and high stiffness. The ball-type pivot joint with dynamic preload adjustment includes a ball and a pair of cones which are dynamically preloaded by servo (feedback) control of a preload actuator. Alternate designs are limited by manufacturing and assembly tolerances as well as wear of bearing surfaces or are subject to change due to thermal fluctuations. A flexible member provides flexure of the bearing members in response to the preload actuator.

Abstract: A ball joint comprising a ball stud including a shank and a ball formed at one end of the shank and a ball socket for receiving the ball and including resilient arms having an outer surface corresponding to the outer surface of the ball and engaging the same and ridges located internally of the ball socket for preventing displacement of the ball out of the ball socket.

Abstract: A mechanical clamping device for coupling any an object requiring infinite positioning to a fixed surface and which quickly and easily locks the object firmly in position without the use of electricity or hydraulic fluids. A triple pivoting linkage is employed which magnifies the force applied to a locking lever to thereby facilitate locking of the object in position. The ball seat configuration provides an additional force magnifier at the interface of the ball of the object being clamped and a ball seat defined within the clamping device. An adjusting screw is preferably provided for selectively varying the play between upper and lower clamping plates thereby enabling the clamping force applied to a ball within the device to be varied.

Abstract: A complex, load bearing structure which is formed from a series of steel links of a standard design which are joined to one another end to end. Each link has a ball portion on an end of an elongate central portion and a socket portion on the other end of the elongate central portion. The ball portion has a spherical or part-spherical outer surface and the socket portion has a part-spherical inner surface, and the ball portion and socket portion are so sized that the ball portion will fit snugly within the socket portion of a similar link for limited universal movement of the link and the similar link relative to one another. When the link and the similar link have been positioned in a proper relationship to one another, they are joined together by welding, soldering or adhesively. Preferably, each link is made integrally, in a single piece, from a steel tube which is copper plated on its exterior.

Abstract: A remote actuator for a trailer hitch of the type having a main body, a ball receiving socket at one end of the main body and the other end of the main body being attachable to the end of a tongue, for example. A pivotal member is hinged at the ball receiving socket end of the hitch. The main body and the pivotal member form hinged sections and the socket is formed jointly in the two hinged sections. A collar is reciprocatingly received about the main body in a position to releasably receive the free marginal end of the pivotal member therein to thereby releasably latch the hinged sections together so that a ball can be captured therewithin. A remote actuator is mounted to the hitch apparatus by which the hinged sections are forced together and thereafter the collar is moved into the latched position over the hinged sections. The remote actuator includes a control lever pivotally mounted for movement respective to said main body.

Abstract: A toothbrush has a brush portion pivotally connected to the handle. The head portion of the toothbrush may be provided with a pair of opposed facing brushes for simultaneously brushing both sides of a tooth. Three different pivotal mechanisms may be utilized for securing the head portion of the toothbrush to the handle at a selected angular adjustment. In a first embodiment, a slip ring is utilized to squeeze a collet around a pivot ball. In a second embodiment, a pivot ball is retained in adjusted position by frictional engagement with a socket in the handle of the brush. In a third embodiment, a threaded sleeve is utilized to lock a pivot ball attached to the head portion of the toothbursh in an adjusted position.

Abstract: A tree stand, as for Christmas trees and the like, having in its preferred form a circular base with three legs extending upward in tripod form to an apex where a clamping mechanism is located. A ball is securely held between a clamp base located atop one leg, termed the socket leg, and a clamp top; the clamp top being located at the upper end of a clamp arm, an elongated member which pivots on the socket leg and whose lower end is spring biased away from the socket leg, thus forcing the clamp top upon the ball. The clamp, and thus the ball, is temporarily released by foot pressure on the lower end of the clamp arm, allowing alignment of the tree. The ball, with an attached tapered mating groove housing, is removably connected to a tree bracket having a tapered plate attached thereto. The tree bracket itself is laterally curved with protruding spikes formed on its inner surface, and is strapped to the side of the trunk to hold the tree securely. The tree stand may be reduced in size for storage.

Abstract: For fastening a cover part at a frame part in which both parts have at least a metallic frame structure, spherical segments formed out of the frame part with fasteners in the form of balls are provided while the counter fasteners are constructed as collars which are components of the cover part and extend angularly bent in the direction of the frame part. After inverting the collars over the balls, each collar is pressed flat by a predetermined amount under straightening during a pressing operation in which the frame part serves as supporting surface so that at the end of the deformation operation, the collar is supported at the ball.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a mechanism for positioning a pair of members in slip-free, adjustable, angular relationships. In accomplishing the foregoing, an assembly is provided which comprises a sphere and a pair of pivotally mounted jaw-like sections for engaging the latter. The inner surfaces of the sections have substantially the same radius of curvature as the sphere surface. Additionally, the sphere surface and the inner surfaces of the jaw-like sections are configured in respective interlocking patterns. Manipulation of the jaw-like sections allows the members to be placed in the desired angular position with respect to each other--which position is maintained by virtue of the aforementioned interlocking nature of the contiguous surfaces.

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: There is disclosed a new and improved swivel connector assembly for connecting a member to be pivoted to a pivot. The assembly includes just two components which may be readily assembled, a socketed assembly and a retaining sleeve. The socketed assembly has a forward portion including a socket forming a bearing seat and a rearward portion having a cylindrically shaped socket. A slot which extends from a point forward of the bearing seat center to and through the rearward portion to form bifurcated opposed socketed portions which may be separated to enlarge the bearing seat and cylindrically shaped socket to permit ready assembly of the same to a pivot ball and a member to be pivoted. The sleeve is arranged to be axially slid over the socketed rearward portion to thereby maintain the assembly in assembled relation.

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: Disclosed is a connector for detachably and rotatably connecting one article to another article, which comprises an insert member to be attached to said one article and a receiving member having a space for insertion of said insert member, which is to be attached to said another member, wherein said insert member has an engaging annular peripheral portion having a void or hollow at the center thereof, a pair of spherical projections capable of elastic and reversional deformation are arranged in the insertion space of the receiving member to confront each other, and such a dimensional relation is established between the engaging annular peripheral portion and the spherical projections that the distance between apexes of the spherical projections is smaller than the thickness of the engaging annular peripheral portion and when said insert member is inserted into the receiving member, the engaging annular peripheral portion is rotatably gripped and supported by the peripheral parts of the paired spherical projec

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.