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US 2009/0185852 A1Published application
Premium performance ball joint and system
AssigneeHowe Racing Enterprises
InventorKelly Molenaar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Ball joints, systems in which they are used, and suspension systems in which the ball joint systems are employed. The ball joints, systems and suspension mechanisms are especially useful for racing vehicles in which premium performance is desired. As an additional feature, the products of this invention are especially appreciated because of the ability to quickly and easily replace or change them.
Claims20
A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a wishbone arm having a threaded socket portion;
- and
- a ball joint assembly threaded to the threaded socket portion of the wishbone arm, said ball joint assembly is operable to be serviced by having one or more components replaced, the ball joint assembly including:
- a housing having a socket at one end, internal threads positioned apart from the socket, and external threads that mate with the threaded socket portion of said wishbone arm,
- a ball stud having a threaded portion for engaging a drive member, a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing, and a flat surface,
- a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly.
3 more elements
A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
- a wishbone arm having a portion for releasably securing a ball joint assembly to the wishbone arm;
- and
- a ball joint assembly releasably secured to the wishbone arm, the ball joint assembly including:
- a housing having an internal cavity with a socket, internal threads positioned apart from the socket, and a portion for being releasably secured to the wishbone arm,
- a ball stud having a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing,
- a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly.
3 more elements
A ball joint system for a vehicle comprising:
- a receiving ring having a threaded portion;
- and
- a ball joint secured to the receiving ring, the ball joint including:
- a housing having an internal cavity with a chamber, internal threads for receiving a retainer, and a threaded portion for being releasably secured to the threaded portion of the receiving ring,
- a stud having a ball portion for mating with said cavity of said housing,
- a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly.
3 more elements
A ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
- a housing having an internal cavity with a socket, and internal threads positioned apart from the socket;
- a first ball stud having a first length and ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing;
- a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void located between said ball stud and a wall of said retainer;
- a locking member for securing said retainer to said housing;
- and
- a second ball stud having a second length, said second ball stud can be installed to replace said first ball stud.
3 more elements
A universal ball joint system for a vehicle comprising:
- a ball joint stud having a ball portion, an elongated shaft, and a threaded portion;
- a first housing having a cavity and internal threads for receiving a retainer;
- and
- a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing,
- wherein said universal ball joint system can be modified so as to replace the first housing with a second housing, second housing has different external configurations than said first housing, said ball joint stud and said retainer can be used with said second housing.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.