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: Two spherical self-aligning bearings are interconnected by a collar or housing for the transmission of push and pull forces for obviating misalignment problems that arise, particularly in aircraft. In a modification the collar or housing itself may be formed so as to be a part, i.e. the outer race member of one or both of such bearings.

Abstract: A remote control rear view mirror which includes a housing having a mirror receptive opening provided therein and a mounting plate that is received in the opening and is fastened to the back wall of the housing, a drive motor unit that includes two separate electric motors in a common housing that is fastened to the mounting plate and are connected to an electrical power source, a mirror glass supporting frame member that has a ball-and-socket connection with the drive motor unit housing and includes a drive connection with each of the electric motors, and a retainer ring that is adapted to be mounted and supported on the mounting plate and to have a pivotal support and be restrictively engaged with the mirror glass supporting frame member.

Abstract: A mechanical joint supports vertically extending plate glass using an articulated joint to accommodate some relative movement between the support joint and the plate glass. The joint includes a stem, one end secured to a support structure and the other being a solid sphere, and a head. The head has a spherical opening which mounts over the solid sphere. The plate glass has an opening sized to fit over the one end of the stem and onto the head. A jam nut threads onto the head to secure the plate glass between the nut and an enlarged outer end of the head. A resilient O-ring is mounted between the head and stem and acts as a shock absorber for pivotal movement of the head relative to the stem. The support structure includes prestressed cables connected to struts, the struts being pivotally connected to the stems. The invention provides substantially moment-free support of an array of glass plates positioned edge to edge while permitting limited deformation due to wind load.

Abstract: A ball joint of the type having a ball stud and preformed plastic socket includes means for sealing the stud head receiving socket opening and assuring the maintenance of the seal in spite of accumulated tolerance variations. A cap with an inwardly converging peripheral closure surface fits within and conforms closely to a matching closure surface in the socket opening. Deformable protuberances on the outer side of the cap are engaged and deformed by a surface of the suspension control arm to which the socket is mounted, or by a surface of a cover which fixes the socket to the control arm. The protuberances extend far enough from the cap outer side to assure that engagement and deformation in spite of accumulated tolerance variations in the components of the ball joint. The deformation forces the cap into the socket opening as the ball joint is completed to engage the closure surfaces more tightly and assure maintenance of the seal of the socket opening.

Abstract: The invention is a mechanical device which enables the connection of two ferably longitudinal rigid members. Utilization of the invention enables the quick connection and disconnection of members manually without the aid of tools. The device is designed such that the connection is positively locked. The connection is also characterized in that torques and bending moments will not be transmitted between the two connected members through the device. The device, however, will transmit tensile, compressive, and shear loads.

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 gap 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 gap in the resilient metallic ring and slide past the ring, and consequently enabling the ring to get hold of the ball.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a body member having a socket defined by a cylindrical side wall and a bottom wall. A ball stud having a ball end portion is received in the socket, and is adapted to swivel with respect to the body member through a predetermined cone angle. The ball end is retained in the socket by a split retaining ring having a circular cross section which cooperates between the socket and the ball end portion to prevent removal of the ball end portion from the socket. The ring is seated in an arcuate annular seat formed in the cylindrical side wall of the socket, and has an arcuate extent of less than 180 degrees from an intersection of the seat and the socket side wall. A conical bearing wall extends upwardly and inwardly from the arcuate seat to the socket side wall, and is tangent to the arcuate annular seat.

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 kit for use in refurbishing a worn joint in a member, such as a tie or drag link, is provided. The kit contains a bushing, a spring, a housing and a plug for use with the old stud to provide a reliable, rotational, flexible and tight joint.

Abstract: A ball socket assembly is constructed of a plastic molded housing and a locking member. The plastic molded housing has a ball socket integrally formed on its bottom wall in the form of a base member having a spherical-shaped internal wall segment which faces an opening in the housing and having a pair of resilient arm members integrally formed with the base segment. The resilient arm members extend generally parallel to and equidistant from the axis drawn through the center of the spherical-shaped wall segment. Each of the resilient arm members have a curved internal face which matches the curvature of the spherical-shaped wall segment. A locking member can be selectively installed to prevent outward flexing of the resilient arm members after a spherical ball-headed screw has been installed into the ball socket.

Abstract: A ball joint in which the ball of a ball stud is accommodated in an accommodating section of a socket. The accommodating section has an annular seat on which a stopper is provided and a cap to be fitted in the accommodating section has another stopper. The two stoppers are received in a gap in an elastic ring-like member mounted in the annular seat such that a turning of the cap will increase the width of the gap to increase the diameter of the elastic ring-like member. In this state, the ball of the ball stud can be accommodated in the accommodating section of the socket.

Abstract: A shapeable matrix comprises a plurality of first members each of which has a plurality of projections located on the periphery thereof, and a plurality of second members each of which has a plurality of recesses located on the periphery thereof, each recess being adapted to receive a respective one of the projections of an adjacent first member. Means are provided on each of the second members for releasably clamping the projections of the first members in recesses of the second members, the clamping being operative in a released condition to permit alteration in the relative orientation of adjacent members and being operative in a clamped condition to prevent such alteration. A chair is disclosed which comprises a support frame and a shapeable matrix as set forth above mounted on the support frame.

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: An angle joint, consisting of a ball socket and a ball pivot, is pivotally mounted, by means of the ball, in a ball socket recess which is shaped like a spherical cap and acts as a ball seat. On one side of the ball socket is a rigid locating or contact shoulder, which is integral with the ball socket and partially grips the rear of the ball when the ball has been inserted into the recess.A locking element, which is situated opposite the locating shoulder, also partially grips the rear of the ball when the ball is inserted into the recess. The locking element is slidably located in a guide recess in the ball socket at an acute angle, between 15.degree. to 30.degree., to the direction of insertion. A locking spring presses the locking element in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion. The locking element is loaded by a pretensioned helical spring, acting as a locking spring, which bears both against the locking element and a section in contact with the ball socket.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral mining machine, such as a plough, guided for movement along a guide comprises inclined piston and cylinder units connected via ball-and-socket joints between connectors at the ends of elongate beams guided on roof supports and brackets on a conveyor forming or supporting the guide. The cylinder of each unit has a ball at its upper end received in a socket on one of the brackets. This upper ball has a stepped profile with a shoulder and an end region of different radii of curvature.The piston and interior of the cylinder are also stepped with innermost regions of reduced diameter. These measures reduce the overall length of the unit.

Abstract: A payload retention system for securing and retaining a payload in a fixed docked position on a platform in a cargo bay of a space vehicle is disclosed which includes a plurality of latching assemblies 16 carried by platform 10 each of which includes a latching member A having a contoured spherical latch element 24. A plurality of payload latching elements B are carried by the payload having a complementary contoured spherical latch element 18. The latching elements 18 are carried in interlatching alignment with the latching members 24 of the latching assemblies 16 defining latch couplings C. Spherical latch element 18 has a convex latching surface 19 and spherical element 24 has a concave latching surface 25 which mate and couple with one another when interlatched. The spherical latch elements 18, 24 having their axes aligned with one another when interlatched whereby the payload is retained in a fixed docked position.

Abstract: A shapeable matrix comprises a plurality of first members each of which has a plurality of projections located on the periphery thereof, and a plurality of second members each of which has a plurality of recesses located on the periphery thereof, each recess being adapted to receive a respective one of the projections of an adjacent first member. Means are provided on each of the second members for releasably clamping the projections of the first members in recesses of the second members, the clamping being operative in a released condition to permit alteration in the relative orientation of adjacent members and being operative in a clamped condition to prevent such alteration. A chair is disclosed which comprises a support frame and a shapeable matrix as set forth above mounted on the support frame.

Abstract: Improved constructional building set comprising as its basic elements a plurality of linking units, each linking unit comprising at least one connecting rod with a generally ball shaped head portion at each end thereof. A plurality of coupling members engage the head portions to couple the linking units. These coupling members have a clamping construction which tightens such that a pair of clamping members are urged toward each other about the rod head portions. Thus provided is a building set which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and affords numerous possibilities of assembling stable structures. Such structure is useful not only as construction toys, but also for the construction of articles for everyday use.

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 sea anchoring system for anchoring floating sea stations to a sea bed floor such as on a foundation or a stay block comprises a tension member connected between a floating station and the sea bed foundation or block with a plurality of tension members connected between the bed foundation and the floating station through universal joints. The universal joints include an assembly comprising an inner spherical body and an outer spherical body arranged over and slightly embracing the inner spherical body. The outer spherical body includes an opening on one side and a pin connected to the inner spherical body and extends through this opening and is connected, for example, to the foundation or to the floating body. The outer spherical body has a connection for example to the tension member. The inner and outer spherical bodies have spherical surfaces facing each other and at least one of these surfaces has a lining of a material which permits sliding interengagement with a minimum friction and wear.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a ball joint assembly which includes a ball stud received in a swivel socket of a supporting body. Some of such assemblies are classed as quick disconnects, meaning that the ball stud may be conveniently assembled and disassembled as desired. In another class, the bodies are substantially cylindrical with the sockets forming a pair of diametrically opposed feather edges. In drilling the sockets, it is not uncommon for a burr to be formed about the perimeter, and for this burr to be bent inwardly thereby obstructing the free insertion of the ball stud into the socket. Also it is not uncommon for the feather edges to be bent inwardly resulting in the same problem. By counterboring the socket, the burr is removed and the feather edges are flattened which not only solves the obstruction problem but may also provide other advantages.

Abstract: A lubricated bearing has a rotatable structure which includes a housing with an opening at one end, a bearing cup and a retaining member. The retaining member grips the exterior of the bearing cup and the interior of the housing to secure the bearing cup within the housing with its mouth towards the opening and with lubricant spaces between the housing and bearing cup both above and below its rim. A stationary member has a spherical part which fits within the bearing cup to provide relatively rotatable bearing surfaces and a shaft which extends out of the housing through the opening.

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: Pressure control valves for mechanically controlled power brake units include a control casing with an approximately cylindrical guide member. The control casing houses a valve piston to which a piston rod extending through the guide member and projecting therefrom is secured. Prior to the mounting of the power brake unit, the piston rod may be subjected to lateral knocks which has to be absorbed by the control casing. Under increased knock impact, the result is frequently a damaged control casing. In accordance with the present invention this is overcome by arranging the piston rod shank which is adjacent to the end of the piston rod carried in the valve piston, at least partially within a bore of the valve piston and to dimension the radial distance between the bore and the piston rod shank such that the valve piston serves as a stop to limit the crosswise or radial movement of the piston rod.

Abstract: An improved ball joint structure for clamping a rear view mirror head tightly yet turnably on a supporting ball member includes a ball seat member and a body clamping member fixed at the outer and inner sides of housing wall portions bordering an opening in which a mirror supporting ball is disposed, a ball clamping member mounted on the body clamping member and having a contoured portion to grip the inner side of the ball, and means adjustable from outside the wall for holding the ball clamping member under a desired tension against the ball. The body and ball clamping members have coacting formations that limit displacement of the ball clamping member in the direction away from the ball.

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: A tree-supporting stand having a central support member mounting a plurality of radially extending legs, each of which is adapted to engage a horizontal surface for supporting a Christmas tree in an upright position so as to facilitate decorating and displaying the latter. The stand further comprises a cup-shaped holder which receives the butt end of the tree so as to support the tree in a vertical position. Fastening means carried by the cup-shaped holder engage the butt end of the tree to secure the tree to the holder. The cup-shaped holder is pivotally attached to the central support member in such a manner that the cup-shaped holder may be inclined with respect to the vertical to permit proper positioning of the tree and to compensate for irregularities in the tree shape. Means are provided for locking the holder to the support member after the tree has been positioned.

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 housing is provided for mounting a bearing adjacent a wall to support a rotatable shaft that projects perpendicularly through the wall. The housing has a thin-stock stamping that forms on end cap having an axially extending hub and a mounting flange projecting radially outward at one end of the hub. An axial bore is provided within the end cup for receiving a first longitudinal portion of a bearing. A thick plate has an opening therein for receiving a second longitudinal portion of the bearing that projects axially outward from the hub end adjacent the mounting flange. One side of the plate is mounted flush with the wall, and an opposite side of the plate is mounted flush with the mounting flange of the thin-stock stamping. The plate has a surface adjacent the bearing opening that radially supports the second longitudinal portion of the bearing. This plate extends radially outward from the bearing opening.

Abstract: A ball and socket coupling in which the ball is positively retained within the socket by means of a cap, removably secured to the socket for closing the open end of the latter and having a hole through which the ball stem extends. The cap hole allows pivotal movement of the ball relative to the socket. The socket and the cap have inter-engaging interrupted threads for securing and releasing the cap by a simple one-quarter turn of the same. A lever is pivoted to the cap and engages between ears on the socket in the secured position of the cap to provide a safety lock. The resulting coupling is much stronger than conventional ball and socket couplings, because the cap forms an abutment face all around the ball.

Abstract: An improved connector for attaching a swivel pad to a supporting bolt of a clamp for maintenance, replacement or lubrication and which permits pivoting of the swivel pad over a wide angle. The connector has particular utility in combination with a screw clamp and comprises a shoe assembly having a work-engaging pad with a socket for receiving a truncated spherical head of a screw bolt and means for restraining the said truncated head in the socket.

Abstract: In a coupling including a ball, a hollow housing, and a slit which extends in correspondence with preselected longitudinal lines on the ball within a predetermined region of the hollow housing so that a series of resiliently movable tongues are provided between the slits. The housing and its tongues are adapted to surround the ball and to resiliently engage portions of the ball respectively, so that a general axial pressure exerted on the housing varies the intensity of engagement of the ball portions by the tongues.

Abstract: In a vacuum environment such as space, conductive ball and socket members are fixed to respective heat pipes for permitting orthogonal movement of one heat pipe relative to the other and the gap between the ball and socket members is maintained under a light gas pressure with the low pressure gas forming a low thermal impedance path across the gap.

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 motor grader has a circle which includes integral depending arms at the rear, blade carrying structure is supported forward of the arms on transverse pivots which are at the lower extremities of the arms, and hydraulic cylinder and piston units are supported for limited universal movement in sleeves which are integral with the circle, the pistons of said units being pivotally connected to the blade carrying structure for tilting the latter about the transverse pivots. The cylinder unit supports include flanged collars on the cylinders on which spherical bearings are removably mounted, and bearing sockets in the sleeves consisting of two annular elements which are detachably connected to each other. Flexible dust proofing boots enclose the spherical bearings and sockets; and an interengaging slot and hub restrict rotation of each unit in the sleeve.

Abstract: Apparatus for locking and holding structures to one another in a releasable manner, including a separable element which may be fastened to each of the structures. One of the elements may be a generally spherical member, similar to the ball fixture utilized in cooperation with a trailer hitch. The other fixture includes a housing with a dual-acting or compound motion mechanism pivotally mounted therein. The mechanism may comprise a gate having a locking surface which cooperates with a locking seat in the housing to receive and lock the spherical element therebetween. A locking mechanism may be movably mounted on the gate to limit the movement of the latter as well as to fix it in the locking position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a light assembly or similar apparatus which is adjustable by means of a ball and socket assembly incorporating an elastomeric "O" ring which abuts against the periphery of the ball when a ball accommodating sectionalized socket assembly is clamped together.