Patent US3716069A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4143983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible joint construction
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-05-05
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Granted: 1979-03-13
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Expires: 1997-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A flexible joint construction such as is used in automotive steering linkages or the like wherein each housing is provided with an integral internal spherical bearing surface formed during the forging and inner cavity machining operations. The method is further characterized by the production of ball studs for such flexible joints which include integrally formed lubrication grooves.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor R. McEowen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0619; F16C11/0623; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636; Y10T29/49643; Y10T29/49647; Y10T29/49648; Y10T29/49657; Y10T29/49663; Y10T29/49664; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32737; Y10T403/32762
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A pivot joint comprising, in combination, acup-shaped housing portion formed by forging a carbon steel blank including a cavity provided with an inner wall, one end of said inner wall including a spherical bearing surface integrally formed with the forging of said housing portion and machined to remove surface metal from which carbon was removed by working of the metal during forging; and a ball stud including a head portion having a headed spherical outer surface pivotally mounted on the spherical bearing surface of the housing portion, said spherical outer surface including lubricating grooves formed during the heading of the spherical outer surface of the ball.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A pivot joint comprising, in combination, acup-shaped housing portion formed by forging a carbon steel blank including a cavity provided with an inner wall, one end of said inner wall including a spherical bearing surface integrally formed with the forging of said housing portion and machined to remove surface metal from which carbon was removed by working of the metal during forging; and a ball stud including a head portion having a headed spherical outer surface pivotally mounted on the spherical bearing surface of the housing portion, said spherical outer surface including lubricating grooves formed during the heading of the spherical outer surface of the ball.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
123 words
A pivot joint comprising, in combination, a cup-shaped housing portion formed by forging a carbon steel blank including a cavity provided with an inner wall, one end of said inner wall including a spherical bearing surface integrally formed with the forging of said housing portion and machined to remove surface metal from which carbon was removed by working of the metal during forging; and a ball stud formed by forging a carbon steel blank to provide a head portion having a spherical outer surface pivotally mounted on the spherical bearing surface of the housing portion, said spherical outer surface including lubricating grooves formed with the forging of said head portion, said spherical outer surface being refined to substantially eliminate heat-treat induced surface film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
123 words
A pivot joint comprising, in combination, a cup-shaped housing portion formed by forging a carbon steel blank including a cavity provided with an inner wall, one end of said inner wall including a spherical bearing surface integrally formed with the forging of said housing portion and machined to remove surface metal from which carbon was removed by working of the metal during forging; and a ball stud formed by forging a carbon steel blank to provide a head portion having a spherical outer surface pivotally mounted on the spherical bearing surface of the housing portion, said spherical outer surface including lubricating grooves formed with the forging of said head portion, said spherical outer surface being refined to substantially eliminate heat-treat induced surface film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The pivot joint defined in claim 2 wherein said ball stud includes a case hardened zone at said spherical outer surface.
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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) | 1982-03-12 | 1982-09-11 | 1983-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-12 | 1986-09-11 | 1987-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-12 | 1990-09-11 | 1991-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |