Structure of ball-and-socket joint used for coupling link members for driving a windshield wiper for vehicles

Claim 1

A ball-and-socket joint for use in coupling link members for driving a windshield wiper for vehicles, comprising a ball fixedly mounted on one of said link members, and a socket mounted in a hole formed at one end of the other link member to be pivotably connected to said one link member and having a recess for receiving said ball, said socket having an integral collar-like section extending outwardly from the peripheral edge of said recess and having a plurality of slits formed therein over the entire circumference thereof; characterized in that means is provided adjacent the collar-like section for, upon completion of the connection of the ball and socket, restraining the outward expansion of said collar-like section by pressing it over the entire outer peripheral surface thereof; the socket including the collar-like section thereof, and said means, substantially covering the ball; said socket being formed with a through-hole the peripheral surface of which defines a sliding surface of said ball receiving recess of the socket, and there being provided an elastically deformable cap engageable with the upper open end of said through-hole to close the same and an annular stopper operatively connected to said cap and surrounding said socket, said collar like sectIon being restrained from outward expansion by said stopper.