Stamped ball socket
AssigneeGuide Corporation
InventorsJan A. Wisler, Paul D. VanDuyn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stamped ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to a mounting bracket comprising a base having an opening which is adapted to accept a fastener. The ball socket further comprising at least two walls extending from the base and at least two lock-in fingers protruding at an angle from the walls. The lock-in fingers and the walls of the ball socket flex to allow a pivot ball to be inserted between the lock-in fingers such that when the pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained in the ball socket by the lock-in fingers. Additionally, the base, walls, and lock-in fingers of the present invention are integrally formed by stamping a single piece of metal.
Claims18
A ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to a mounting bracket having at least one pivot ball protruding on a post using a single fastener, comprising:
- a base having an opening formed there through, said opening adapted to accept the fastener such that when the fastener is inserted through said opening and engages the headlamp pod, the ball socket and headlamp pod are fixedly connected;
- at least two walls extending from said base;
- at least two lock-in fingers protruding at an angle from said walls such that said lock-in fingers and said walls flex to allow the pivot ball to be inserted between said lock-in fingers and such that when said pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained in the ball socket by said lock-in fingers;
- and
- wherein said base, said walls, and said lock-in fingers are integrally formed by stamping a single piece of metal.
A ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod having at least one pivot ball protruding on a post to a mounting bracket using a single fastener, comprising:
- a base having an opening formed there through, said opening adapted to accept the fastener such that when the fastener is inserted through said opening and engages the headlamp pod, the ball socket and headlamp pod are fixedly connected;
- at least two walls extending from said base;
- at least two lock-in tabs protruding at an angle from said walls such that said lock-in fingers and said walls flex to allow the pivot ball to be inserted between said lock-in fingers and such that when said pivot ball is fully inserted it is adjustably retained between said lock-in fingers and the fastener;
- and
- wherein said base, said walls, and said lock-in fingers are integrally formed by stamping a single piece of metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.