Ball and socket linkage and bearing assembly
US4514015A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 1980 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 10, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16C33/64
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In both the socket linkage and the ball bearing assembly the formed metal engages the curvature of the ball more than 90.degree. which retains the parts in assembled relationship. The forming is accomplished by cupping metal into a die with clearance between the die and the punch less than the metal thickness to cold extrude the metal past the minimum clearance. In the case of the socket linkage the ball is used as the punch and the forming operation completes the assembly of the ball to the socket. Each race of the ball bearing assembly must be stripped from the curved forming part (die or punch) before final assembly with the balls. If the stripping operation deforms the metal past its elastic limit, the desired shape can be restored by use of a straight walled forming part before or after the races have been assembled with the balls between the races.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.