Captive ball and socket joint
US4768895A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 1987 |
| Grant date | Sep 6, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32631
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A captive ball in a socket joint made with a minimum number of units capable of mass production and readily assembled with minimum labor. The ball and socket structure enables easy connection of the ball component to a machine element via open access to the ball component for a power driven tool, such as a pneumatic, rotary driver. The socket unit is a single unitary lug-shaped stamping made from flat sheet metal in which a socket recess with a spherical bottom is stamped or formed with a slotted aperture therethrough. The ball unit is a single unitary screw the head of which is ball-shaped and includes an integral drive device in the ball head. The screw-threaded shank of the ball unit projects through the socket unit aperture with the ball-head received in the socket recess. The slotted aperture permits universal swiveling movement of the ball unit relative to the socket unit. A nut, on the ball unit renders the ball unit captive in the socket unit. The nut is retained in the desired position by conventional cement, lock thread formation or other well known self locking screw and nut structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.