Ball joint for motor vehicle steering
US6533491B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 5, 2000 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 5, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32762
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention concerns a ball joint, in particular for motor vehicle steering, comprising a housing (1), a spherical mounting (2) engaged inside the housing, formed by a spherical mounting head integral (20) with a rod (2a) emerging through an opening (16) of the housing, a lower bearing (3) defining a lower supporting surface enclosing the spherical head on the housing opening side and an opposite upper mobile bearing (24) defining an upper supporting surface, said upper bearing being urged by spring (5) against the, spherical mounting head (20), so as to be able to move towards the lower bearing (24) while the spherical mounting head (20) or the lower bearing wears away, wear indicating means (7, 7′, 7″) being adapted to provide information concerning wear according to the movement of said upper mobile bearing (24) or of the head.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.