Ball socket with improved pull-out force resistance
US6758622B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 16, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 16, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T403/32631
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ball socket for connection with a ball stud resists accidental pull-out of the ball stud. The ball socket includes arms that form a socket cup for retaining the ball stud. The arms allow relatively easy insertion of the stud head, yet greatly resist accidental pull-out. The ball socket may be used in connection with disengageable or conventional ball studs. The ball socket may be an in-line design, peanut-style, or some other design. One known effective application of the present invention is in automotive lamp assemblies. The in-line socket may include a centrally located mounting hole and an undercut which forms a chamber for trapping the head of a mounting screw to facilitate assembly to the reflector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.