US4063834A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball joint assembly
Assignee: Whitnash PLC
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Filing: 1977-03-29
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1997-03-29
Abstract
Abstract A ball joint assembly includes a socket member secured in a housing (e.g. a steering rack), and a bearing member having bearing surfaces for co-operating with the head of a ball pin. The bearing member is biassed by an anti-rattle spring which reacts against the housing to keep the bearing surfaces in contact with the ball pin but is non-releasably retained in the socket member to prevent unskilled attempts to compensate for wear by shimming.
Inventors
- 👤 William Michael Hanson
- 👤 Basil Robert Price
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 02:17
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D7/00; B62D7/18; B62D7/16; F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0619; F16C11/0623; F16C11/0628; F16C11/08; F16C2326/00; F16C2326/20; F16C2326/24; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32737; Y10T403/32762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A ball joint assembly comprising: a housing; a socket member secured in the housing; a ball pin received in the socket member, the ball pin comprising a shank and a head having a part-spherical surface thereon; a first, annular, bearing surface in the socket member co-operating with said part-spherical surface and defining an aperture through which the shank of the ball pin extends; a bearing member in the socket member co-operating with said part-spherical surface and having a second bearing surface thereon, said bearing member being movable towards said annular bearing surface in response to wear; means non-releasably secured to the socket member adjacent said bearing member to prevent movement of said bearing member away from said annular bearing surface beyond a pre-set position; and an anti-rattle spring acting between said housing and said bearing member to urge said bearing member towards said annular bearing surface and maintain said bearing surfaces in contact with the part-spherical surface of the ball pin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A ball joint assembly comprising: a housing; a socket member secured in the housing; a ball pin received in the socket member, the ball pin comprising a shank and a head having a part-spherical surface thereon; a first, annular, bearing surface in the socket member co-operating with said part-spherical surface and defining an aperture through which the shank of the ball pin extends; a bearing member in the socket member co-operating with said part-spherical surface and having a second bearing surface thereon, said bearing member being movable towards said annular bearing surface in response to wear; means non-releasably secured to the socket member adjacent said bearing member to prevent movement of said bearing member away from said annular bearing surface beyond a pre-set position; and an anti-rattle spring acting between said housing and said bearing member to urge said bearing member towards said annular bearing surface and maintain said bearing surfaces in contact with the part-spherical surface of the ball pin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ball joint of claim 1 wherein said non-releasable means comprises a cap secured to the socket member and apertured to receive the anti-rattle spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ball joint of claim 2 wherein the cap is secured to the socket member by peening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The ball joint of claim 2 further comprising shims interposed between said bearing member and the cap.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3693999A
Cited
US3871469A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |