US3817640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball joint gauge
Assignee: KRIZMAN Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-04
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1992-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A gauge for ball joints employed in the steering linkages and suspension systems of motor vehicles, including a gauge member bearing against the pressure or bearing plate seating the spherical-shaped head of the stud within the housing of the ball joint. A cover member, fixed in the open end of the housing opposite the socket member, is provided with a reference surface registrable with the axial movement of the gauge member to indicate the wear of the spherical head against the socket member. A first annular elastic member is compressed between the pressure plate and the cover member, while a second annular elastic member is compressed between the body portion of the gauge member and the cover member.
Inventors
- 👤 W Carter
- 👤 H Songer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 15:37
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0604; B; B60; B60G; B60G7/00; B60G7/005; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/01; F16C2326/05; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32737; Y10T403/32762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
In a ball joint having a housing with coaxial first and second end openings, a concave socket communicating with said second end opening, an elongated stud having a substantially spherical-shaped head seated in said socket and a shank portion extending through said second end opening, a pressure plate member extending transversely of the opening axis of said housing on the opposite side of said head from said said socket, and bearing on the head for movement therewith, a gauge comprising: a. a gauge member having a sight portion and a body portion, said body portion bearing on said pressure plate member, b. a cover member fixed in said first end opening, c. said cover member having a reference surface relative to which said sight portion is freely movable axially to register the axial wear of said head in said socket, d. a first elastic member within said housing between said pressure plate member and said cover member, e. a retainer element fixed within said housing and normally compressing said first elastic member against said pressure plate member, and f. a second elastic member normally compressed axially between the body portion of said gauge member and said cover member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
In a ball joint having a housing with coaxial first and second end openings, a concave socket communicating with said second end opening, an elongated stud having a substantially spherical-shaped head seated in said socket and a shank portion extending through said second end opening, a pressure plate member extending transversely of the opening axis of said housing on the opposite side of said head from said said socket, and bearing on the head for movement therewith, a gauge comprising: a. a gauge member having a sight portion and a body portion, said body portion bearing on said pressure plate member, b. a cover member fixed in said first end opening, c. said cover member having a reference surface relative to which said sight portion is freely movable axially to register the axial wear of said head in said socket, d. a first elastic member within said housing between said pressure plate member and said cover member, e. a retainer element fixed within said housing and normally compressing said first elastic member against said pressure plate member, and f. a second elastic member normally compressed axially between the body portion of said gauge member and said cover member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention according to claim 1 in which said elastic members are annular, said first annular member surrounding said body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention according to claim 1 in which said retainer element comprises an annular retainer plate member fitting around said body portion and holding said body portion against rotation relative to said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention according to claim 1 further comprising an opening through said cover member adjacent said reference surface for receiving said sight portion for relative axial movement.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention according to claim 1 further comprising aligned grease passages through said body portion and said pressure plate member communicating with said socket member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention according to claim 1 further comprising a recess between said body portion and said sight portion for receiving said second elastic member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention according to claim 6 in which said gauge member is solid and the cross-section of said sight portion is less than the cross-section of said body portion to form said recess annularly around said sight portion, said second elastic member being annular for reception in said recess.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention according to claim 6 in which said body portion has a cup-shaped portion forming said recess, and said sight portion comprises a finger fixed to said cup-shaped portion and projecting axially through said cover member and registrable with said reference surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2187915A
Cited
US2507087A
Cited
US2569823A
Cited
US2811377A
Cited
US2905277A
Cited
US3409317A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |