Socket assembly with a retention device
US11788575B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 16, 2019 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C2226/52
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The ball socket assembly includes a housing that is made of a monolithic piece which includes a lower wall. A ball portion of a ball stud is disposed in an inner bore of the housing. An exit bearing, which is made of a polymeric material, is disposed in the inner bore and is in slidable contact with at least one hemisphere of the ball portion. The exit bearing has an upper surface which faces towards an open end of the housing. A cover plate is in direct contact with the upper surface of the exit bearing along a surface-to-surface contact area. The surface-to-surface contact area is angled towards the open end from its radially outermost end to its radially innermost end for supporting the exit bearing against radial expansion in response to axial loads being applied on the exit bearing from the ball portion of the ball stud.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.