# US 11,306,769 B2 · Ball joint > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,306,769 B2 - Document ID: US11306769B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/319,866 - Filed: 2017-05-10 - Published: 2019-08-29 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-29 - Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH - Applicants: Robert Bosch GmbH - Inventors: Darko Vuletic; Jens Ulrich - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306769B2 ## CPC - F16C 11/106: {for ball joints} - F16C 11/0671: {allowing operative relative movement of joint parts due to flexing of the sealing means} - F16C 11/10: Arrangements for locking - B60S 1/3445: {Joints between elements} - F16C 2326/09: Windscreen wipers, e.g. pivots therefore - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract The invention relates to a ball joint (10) for a wiper system, comprising a ball shell (12), a ball head (14) within the ball shell (12), a hinged rod (16) into which the ball shell (12) is inserted, and a securing means (18), wherein the securing means (18) engages around the hinged rod (16), in order to reduce an opening (20) in the ball shell (12) to a blocking distance (d), such that the ball head (15) can be removed from the ball shell (12). The invention further relates to a method for assembling the ball joint (10). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A ball joint (10) for a wiper system, the ball joint comprising a ball shell (12), a ball head (14) within the ball shell (12), a hinged rod (16) into which the ball shell (12) is inserted and a securing means (18), wherein the hinged rod (16) is elongated in an axial direction (1), wherein the securing means (18) defines two opposing U-shaped cross sections in a first plane perpendicular to the axial direction (1), wherein the hinged rod (16) extends into the opposing U-shaped cross-sections, and wherein the securing means (18) engages around the hinged rod (16) in order to reduce an opening (20) in the ball shell (12) to a blocking distance (d), such that the ball head (14) cannot be removed from the ball shell (12); wherein the securing means (18, 181) is groove-shaped and has a third U-shaped cross section in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane and perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the ball head (14) into the ball shell (12) and two limbs (26) connected together at a connection at one end, wherein each of the limbs (26) forms a respective one of the opposing U-shaped cross-sections in the first plane, wherein the limbs (26) and the connection form the third U-shaped cross-section, and wherein the connection engages around an axial end (30) of the hinged rod (16). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one shaped portion (24) is arranged on one edge (22) of the hinged rod (16), the securing means (18) engaging therein, wherein the shaped portion (24) is arranged relative to the axial direction (1) of the hinged rod (16). ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ball shell (12) has a surface including the opening (20), and wherein the two limbs (26) of the securing means determine the blocking distance (d) and extend on both sides of the surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the blocking distance (d) is a distance between the limbs (26), and wherein the blocking distance (d) is less than a maximum diameter of the ball head (14). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means (181, 182) blocks the opening (20) with a side wall (32), wherein the side wall (32) comprises a slot (35) with the blocking distance (d). ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an edge (22) of the hinged rod in a circumferential direction (2) protrudes into the groove-shaped securing means (181). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means (181, 182) has a latching recess (37) for a cap (36) on an inwardly oriented edge (34) of an opposing side wall (33). ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means (182) is guidable along the hinged rod (16). ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a ball stud (15) is arranged on the ball head (14), said ball stud being surrounded by a seal (40) which seals the opening (20) of the ball shell (12), wherein the securing means (18) is arranged on the seal (40). ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ball stud (15) comprises a retaining projection (42), wherein the dimension of the retaining projection (42) is greater than the blocking distance (d). ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the seal (40) is arranged between the retaining projection (42) and the ball shell (12). ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the ball stud (15) comprises a retaining collar (420), wherein the dimension of the retaining collar is greater than the blocking distance (d). ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one shaped portion (24) is arranged on one edge (22) of the hinged rod (16), the securing means (18) engaging therein, wherein the shaped portion (24) is arranged relative to the axial direction (1) of the hinged rod (16) adjacent to and/or spaced apart from the ball shell (12). ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing means (18) consists of plastics and/or sheet metal, wherein the two limbs (26) of the securing means determine the blocking distance (d). ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the two limbs (26) of the securing means form the blocking distance (d), wherein the securing means (181, 182) blocks the opening (20) with a side wall (32), and wherein the side wall (32) comprises a slot (35) with the blocking distance (d) and a chamfer (34) in the region of free ends (19) of the two limbs (26). ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method for assembling a ball joint (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ball shell (12) is injection-molded onto the hinged rod (16) and the ball head (14) is inserted and is secured by the securing means (18), wherein the securing means (18) is moved the hinged rod (16) after the ball head (14) has been inserted. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein a seal (40) is placed on the ball stud (15) before the securing means (18) is arranged.