US3677585A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball joint for vehicle linkages
Assignee: TRW Fahrwerksysteme GmbH and Co KG
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Filing: 1970-09-22
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A ball and socket joint wherein the bearing member positioned between the ball element and the joint housing is formed as an integral, unitary member with the housing cover.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Scheerer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:53
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0619; F16C11/0623; F16C11/0628; F16C11/0633; F16C11/0638; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/01; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32737; Y10T403/32778
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
A ball and socket joint unit comprising: a. a joint housing; b. a ball member in said housing; c. a joint pin attached to said ball member and extending outwardly from said housing; d. a bearing in said housing between said ball member and the interior wall of said housing providing a bearing surface for relative movement between said ball member and said housing; e. a cover member formed integrally with said bearing, whereby said bearing and cover are a unitary member having a peripheral flange thereon, said flange having a thickness sufficient to withstand the ball and socket joint loads and strains, said flange resting on a shoulder of said housing; f. said housing having a crimped portion clamping said flange to said shoulder and thereby forming a seal; g. said housing further having an inturned lower flange on the side opposite said crimped portion and adjacent to said joint pin; h. said bearing extending in a direction toward said inturned lower flange and terminating a distance therefrom, whereby said bearing member is held, solely by said crimped portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
A ball and socket joint unit comprising: a. a joint housing; b. a ball member in said housing; c. a joint pin attached to said ball member and extending outwardly from said housing; d. a bearing in said housing between said ball member and the interior wall of said housing providing a bearing surface for relative movement between said ball member and said housing; e. a cover member formed integrally with said bearing, whereby said bearing and cover are a unitary member having a peripheral flange thereon, said flange having a thickness sufficient to withstand the ball and socket joint loads and strains, said flange resting on a shoulder of said housing; f. said housing having a crimped portion clamping said flange to said shoulder and thereby forming a seal; g. said housing further having an inturned lower flange on the side opposite said crimped portion and adjacent to said joint pin; h. said bearing extending in a direction toward said inturned lower flange and terminating a distance therefrom, whereby said bearing member is held, solely by said crimped portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A ball and socket joint as defined in claim 1 wherein said unitary member is of a hard plastic material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A ball and socket joint as defined in claim 2, wherein said material is acetate resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |