End connector assembly with ball held captive in socket bearing and shell housing and method of assembly
US5112153A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 17, 1990 |
| Grant date | May 12, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 17, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32204
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A captive ball and socket joint where the socket is made from bearing material which is encased in a metal shell, thereby forming a socket around the ball head on the end of a ball stud. The metal shell is cup-shaped and has its base wall apertured so that the ball formed with internal wrenching socket is accessible through the aperture when the ball and the bearing socket are placed into the cup-shaped shell. A flat steel connector lug is pierced with an opening and the wall of the metal cup-shaped shell is secured within the opening by welding. The edge portion of the shell is deformed to render the ball and socket captive in assembly with the lug. The hole in the base wall of the shell permits access for insertion of a rotary drive tool to engage a formation in the ball component to rotate the ball component and secure it to a machine element such as a brace or bracket. The bearing socket can be one or two pieces and can be made from metal bearing material or a plastic bearing material. The method of assembling the joint envisages use of techniques to avoid destruction of the characteristics of the bearing material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.