US4555198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rubberized ball rod stud for automotive steering assembly
Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
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Filing: 1984-09-04
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Granted: 1985-11-26
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Expires: 2004-09-04
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides a rubberized stud (10), preferably the molded configuration has a ball shape with a rubber height (28) to thickness (29) ratio of 2.0 to 3.0 and preferably 2.2 to 2.7 which can be compressed sufficiently to be inserted into a smaller diameter shaped socket to maintain the rubber under compression of 20 to 30% of its thickness and thereby produce a spring effect when the ball rod is rotated or twisted.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Wenning
- 👤 Charles E. Lynn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:47
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0604; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32681; Y10T403/32696; Y10T403/32721
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A rubberized stud member for a vehicle steering assembly including a metallic ball rod having a ball on one end thereof, said ball having a covering of rubber of 60 to 70 durometer hardness with a thickest section and thinnest sections, said thinnest sections of rubber being at least about 0.079 to 0.159 centimeters thick and the thickest section of rubber being a band at least about 0.44 to 0.70 centimeters thick, said band having a width to thickness ratio of about 2.0 to 3.0.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A rubberized stud member for a vehicle steering assembly including a metallic ball rod having a ball on one end thereof, said ball having a covering of rubber of 60 to 70 durometer hardness with a thickest section and thinnest sections, said thinnest sections of rubber being at least about 0.079 to 0.159 centimeters thick and the thickest section of rubber being a band at least about 0.44 to 0.70 centimeters thick, said band having a width to thickness ratio of about 2.0 to 3.0.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The rubberized ball stud of claim 1 wherein a thinnest section occurs adjacent a section of the ball that joins the rod and adjacent a lower section of said ball.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The rubberized ball stud of claim 1 wherein the band dimensions are sufficient that the original radius of said band is compressed 23 to 30% rubber thickness in the thickest section when in the assembled condition within its socket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The rubberized ball stud of claim 1 wherein the rubber is a sulfur cured carbon black loaded natural rubber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The rubberized ball stud of claim 2 wherein the rubber is a sulfur cured carbon black loaded natural rubber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The rubberized ball stud of claim 3 wherein the rubber is a sulfur cured carbon black loaded natural rubber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The rubberized ball stud of claim 2 wherein the surface curves gently upward from the thinnest section to meet the wall of the thickest section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2979353A
Cited
US4235558A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-25 | 1989-05-27 | 1989-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-25 | 1993-05-27 | 1993-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-25 | 1997-05-27 | 1997-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |