Patent US4046402A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4046402A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle
Assignee: Ford Motor Co
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Filing: 1975-07-07
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Granted: 1977-09-06
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Expires: 1995-07-07
Abstract
Abstract A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle is disclosed. A torsion bar spring has laterally extending left and right wheel positioning portions of generally Y-shape. The outer ends of these portions each comprise parallel bars that are interconnected by a small loop. A ball joint has its socket press-fitted into the small loop and its ball stud secured to a wheel support member.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Allison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:51
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60G; B60G21/00; B60G21/02; B60G21/04; B60G21/05; B60G21/055; B60G21/0551; B60G11/00; B60G11/18; B60G11/20; B60G15/00; B60G15/02; B60G15/06; B60G7/00; B60G7/001; B60G7/005; B60G2202/00; B60G2202/10; B60G2202/13; B60G2204/00; B60G2204/10; B60G2204/12; B60G2204/122; B60G2206/00; B60G2206/01; B60G2206/10; B60G2206/124; B60G2206/40; B60G2206/42; B60G2206/70; B60G2206/72; B60G2206/724
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame; a wheel positioning member connected to said vehicle frame; a wheel support member constructed to rotatably support a road wheel; said wheel positioning member having fore and aft branch portions connected to said vehicle frame and a laterally extending portion comprising parallel rods that are interconnected at their outer ends by a loop; said loop defining a small opening in which the socket of a ball joint is secured by a press fit; reinforcing means engaging said parallel rods adjacent said loop; said joint having a stud connected to said wheel support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame; a wheel positioning member connected to said vehicle frame; a wheel support member constructed to rotatably support a road wheel; said wheel positioning member having fore and aft branch portions connected to said vehicle frame and a laterally extending portion comprising parallel rods that are interconnected at their outer ends by a loop; said loop defining a small opening in which the socket of a ball joint is secured by a press fit; reinforcing means engaging said parallel rods adjacent said loop; said joint having a stud connected to said wheel support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame; a wheel positioning member connected to said vehicle frame; a wheel support member constructed to rotatably support a road wheel; said wheel positioning member having fore and aft branch portions connected to said vehicle frame and a laterally extending portion comprising parallel rods that are interconnected at their outer ends by a loop, said loop defining a small opening in which the socket of a ball joint is secured by a press fit; said socket having a ledge portion in engagement with said loop; reinforcing means engaging said parallel rods adjacent said loop; said joint having a stud connected to said wheel support member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame; a wheel positioning member connected to said vehicle frame; a wheel support member constructed to rotatably support a road wheel; said wheel positioning member having fore and aft branch portions connected to said vehicle frame and a laterally extending portion comprising parallel rods that are interconnected at their outer ends by a loop, said loop defining a small opening in which the socket of a ball joint is secured by a press fit; said socket having a ledge portion in engagement with said loop; reinforcing means engaging said parallel rods adjacent said loop; said joint having a stud connected to said wheel support member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame; a road wheel rotatably supported by a wheel support member; a wheel positioning member connected to said vehicle frame; said wheel positioning member comprising a rodlike construction with a generally Y-shape; said wheel positioning member having fore and aft strut portions connected to said vehicle frame; said wheel positioning member having a laterally extending portion comprising parallel rods that are interconnected at their outer ends by an integral loop; said loop defining a small opening; a ball and socket joint having a socket positioned in said opening and in press fit engagement with said loop; reinforcing means engaging said parallel rods adjacent said loop; said joint having a stud connected to said wheel support member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
127 words
A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame; a road wheel rotatably supported by a wheel support member; a wheel positioning member connected to said vehicle frame; said wheel positioning member comprising a rodlike construction with a generally Y-shape; said wheel positioning member having fore and aft strut portions connected to said vehicle frame; said wheel positioning member having a laterally extending portion comprising parallel rods that are interconnected at their outer ends by an integral loop; said loop defining a small opening; a ball and socket joint having a socket positioned in said opening and in press fit engagement with said loop; reinforcing means engaging said parallel rods adjacent said loop; said joint having a stud connected to said wheel support member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame; a road wheel rotatably supported by a wheel support member; a wheel positioning member connected to said vehicle frame; said wheel positioning member comprising a rod-like construction with a generally Y-shape; said wheel positioning member having fore and aft strut portions connected to said vehicle frame; said wheel positioning member having a laterally extending portion comprising parallel rods that are interconnected at their outer ends by an integral loop; said loop defining a small opening; a ball and socket joint having a socket positioned in said opening and in press fit engagement with said loop; said socket having an annular exterior recess and a ledge spaced from said recess; said loop being seated in said recess and in engagement with said ledge; reinforcing means engaging said parallel rods adjacent said loop; said joint having a stud connected to said wheel support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
154 words
A ball joint suspension for a motor vehicle having a vehicle frame; a road wheel rotatably supported by a wheel support member; a wheel positioning member connected to said vehicle frame; said wheel positioning member comprising a rod-like construction with a generally Y-shape; said wheel positioning member having fore and aft strut portions connected to said vehicle frame; said wheel positioning member having a laterally extending portion comprising parallel rods that are interconnected at their outer ends by an integral loop; said loop defining a small opening; a ball and socket joint having a socket positioned in said opening and in press fit engagement with said loop; said socket having an annular exterior recess and a ledge spaced from said recess; said loop being seated in said recess and in engagement with said ledge; reinforcing means engaging said parallel rods adjacent said loop; said joint having a stud connected to said wheel support member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-09-05 | 1981-03-07 | 1981-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-05 | 1985-03-07 | 1985-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-05 | 1989-03-07 | 1989-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |