US3850443A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball joint
Assignee: Old Carco LLC
•
Filing: 1973-12-13
•
Granted: 1974-11-26
•
Expires: 1993-12-13
Abstract
Abstract Ball joint suspension apparatus including an upper control arm and lower control arm connected by ball joints to a steering knuckle. One ball joint assembly includes a stud having a ball on one end mounted in a socket. A pressure plate is backed by a separate washer which is biased by a resilient member. The plate engages the ball and keeps it in contact with the socket as the socket and ball wear. A retainer located in the socket limits the amount of movement of the separate washer.
Inventors
- 👤 M Hassan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 05:46
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0619; F16C11/0623; F16C11/0647; B; B60; B60G; B60G7/00; B60G7/005; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/01; F16C2326/05; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
218 words
Ball joint wheel suspension apparatus comprising a lower control arm and an upper control arm, steering knuckle having a wheel spindle thereon, a wheel mounted on said spindle, a first ball joint assembly connecting said knuckle to said lower control arm and a second ball joint assembly connecting said spindle to said upper control arm, said first ball joint assembly comprising a housing having a socket portion, an opening in said socket portion, a stud extending through said socket portion, said stud having a shank and a first spherical portion adjacent said shank, a second spherical portion adjacent said first spherical portion and within said housiNg, means connecting said shank to said knuckle, a pressure plate engaging said second spherical portion, a pusher element engaging said pressure plate, resilient means biasing said pusher element and said pressure plate toward said second spherical portion, said pressure plate being adapted to move toward said opening and keep said first spherical portion seated in said socket portion as said first spherical portion and said socket portion wear, and retaining means in said socket portion located a predetermined distance from said pusher element and extending into the path of movement of said pusher element but not said pressure plate to limit the amount of movement of said pusher element toward said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
218 words
Ball joint wheel suspension apparatus comprising a lower control arm and an upper control arm, steering knuckle having a wheel spindle thereon, a wheel mounted on said spindle, a first ball joint assembly connecting said knuckle to said lower control arm and a second ball joint assembly connecting said spindle to said upper control arm, said first ball joint assembly comprising a housing having a socket portion, an opening in said socket portion, a stud extending through said socket portion, said stud having a shank and a first spherical portion adjacent said shank, a second spherical portion adjacent said first spherical portion and within said housiNg, means connecting said shank to said knuckle, a pressure plate engaging said second spherical portion, a pusher element engaging said pressure plate, resilient means biasing said pusher element and said pressure plate toward said second spherical portion, said pressure plate being adapted to move toward said opening and keep said first spherical portion seated in said socket portion as said first spherical portion and said socket portion wear, and retaining means in said socket portion located a predetermined distance from said pusher element and extending into the path of movement of said pusher element but not said pressure plate to limit the amount of movement of said pusher element toward said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
Ball joint wheel suspension apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said retaining means includes a ring member having a radially inwardly extending flange, said resilient means being compressed, said predetermined distance being less than the amount said resilient means is compressed so that said flange prevents said resilient means from moving said pusher element beyond said flange.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3056617A
Cited
US3337247A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-25 | 1978-05-27 | 1978-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-25 | 1982-05-27 | 1982-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-25 | 1986-05-27 | 1986-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |