US4679958A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball joint
Assignee: Nifco Inc
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Filing: 1985-12-09
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Granted: 1987-07-14
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Expires: 2005-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A ball joint comprises a ball stud containing a ball at the leading end thereof, a socket incorporating therein a receptacle for admitting of the ball, and a resilient metallic ring containing a gap therein and adapted to retain the ball rotatably within the receptacle. The receptacle is formed of a main body and an auxiliary body adapted to be attached fast to the main body, and at least the main body is formed of a plastic material. Retention of the ball within the socket is accomplished by setting the resilient metallic ring in position within the receptacle before attachment of the auxiliary body to the main body, driving the ball into the receptacle thereby causing the equator of the ball to widen the gap in the resilient metallic ring and slide past the ring, and consequently enabling the ring to get hold of the ball.
Inventors
- 👤 Akira Mizusawa
- 👤 Daiji Nakama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:13
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0685; F16C11/069; F16C11/0619; F16C11/0623; F16C11/0657; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32786; Y10T403/32803; Y10T403/60; Y10T403/602
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
A ball joint comprising: a ball stud having a ball at the leading end thereof; a plastic main body having a through hole which comprises a small-diameter protion on one side thereof, a large-diameter portion on the other side thereof and a tapered portion between said small-diameter portion and said large-diameter portion, said large diameter portion having a retaining portion; a cup-shaped auxiliary body being snugly fitted in said large-diameter portion of said through hole in said main body and having the leading end thereof extending to said tapered portion of said through hole, said leading end having engaging means which engage said retaining portion to retain said auxiliary body in said through hole; a resilient metallic ring for retaining said ball within said through hole, said resilient metallic ring having a cut therein, whereby said ball stud having said ball inserted into said through hole from said small-diameter portion and passed through said resilient metallic ring while enlarging the diameter of said resilient metallic ring, after inserting said resilient metallic ring into said through hole from said large-diameter portion and then fitting said cup-shaped auxiliary body snugly in said large-diameter portion, is prevented from being released from said through hole by said resilient metallic ring which is pushed enlarged in diameter by insertion of said ball and which, upon passage of said ball therethrough, is returned to its original state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
231 words
A ball joint comprising: a ball stud having a ball at the leading end thereof; a plastic main body having a through hole which comprises a small-diameter protion on one side thereof, a large-diameter portion on the other side thereof and a tapered portion between said small-diameter portion and said large-diameter portion, said large diameter portion having a retaining portion; a cup-shaped auxiliary body being snugly fitted in said large-diameter portion of said through hole in said main body and having the leading end thereof extending to said tapered portion of said through hole, said leading end having engaging means which engage said retaining portion to retain said auxiliary body in said through hole; a resilient metallic ring for retaining said ball within said through hole, said resilient metallic ring having a cut therein, whereby said ball stud having said ball inserted into said through hole from said small-diameter portion and passed through said resilient metallic ring while enlarging the diameter of said resilient metallic ring, after inserting said resilient metallic ring into said through hole from said large-diameter portion and then fitting said cup-shaped auxiliary body snugly in said large-diameter portion, is prevented from being released from said through hole by said resilient metallic ring which is pushed enlarged in diameter by insertion of said ball and which, upon passage of said ball therethrough, is returned to its original state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A ball joint according to claim 1, wherein said means fulfills its function by snap engagement.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE337220C
Cited
CA532921A
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GB205689A
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FR666989A
Cited
DE758975C
Cited
DE826809C
Cited
US3817639A
Cited
US3856422A
Cited
US4410295A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-07-13 | 1991-01-12 | 1991-07-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-07-13 | 1995-01-12 | 1995-07-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-07-13 | 1999-01-12 | 1999-07-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |