Socket joint with sealed wear indicator and method of manufacture
AssigneeFederal-Mogul Motorparts LLC
InventorsRachael Raines, Dustin Schrieber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A socket joint includes a stud, a wear indicator configured to indicate a degree of wear relating to the stud or relating to a position of the stud, an elastomeric seal, and a Belleville washer. The elastomeric seal is located at least partially between the wear indicator and the Belleville washer. In some implementations, a domed cover plate is configured to help create a sealing engagement between the elastomeric seal, the wear indicator, and the Belleville washer when the cover plate is pressed into the internal bore of the housing of the socket joint.
Claims18
A socket joint, comprising:
- a stud;
- a wear indicator configured to indicate a degree of wear relating to the stud or relating to a position of the stud;
- an elastomeric seal;
- and
- a Belleville washer, wherein the elastomeric seal is located at least partially between the wear indicator and the Belleville washer, wherein a cover plate is configured to create a sealing engagement between the elastomeric seal, the wear indicator, and the Belleville washer, wherein the cover plate sits in a groove of a housing with the elastomeric seal and the Belleville washer being seated between the groove and the wear indicator.
A socket joint, comprising:
- a stud;
- a wear indicator configured to indicate a degree of wear relating to the stud or relating to a position of the stud;
- an elastomeric seal;
- a Belleville washer;
- and
- a domed cover plate configured to create a sealing engagement between the elastomeric seal, the wear indicator, and the Belleville washer, wherein the domed cover plate sits in a groove of a housing, with the elastomeric seal and the Belleville washer being seated between the groove and the wear indicator.
A method of manufacturing a socket joint, comprising the steps of:
- placing a stud in a housing;
- placing a wear indicator on the stud;
- placing an elastomeric seal on the wear indicator;
- placing a Belleville washer on the elastomeric seal;
- and
- pressing a cover plate to create a sealing engagement between the elastomeric seal, the wear indicator, and the Belleville washer, wherein the cover plate sits in a groove of a housing with the elastomeric seal and the Belleville washer being seated between the groove and the wear indicator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.