# US 2013/0156498 A1 · Bracket-less clamping assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0156498 A1 - Document ID: US20130156498A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/816,957 - Filed: 2011-07-25 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-08 - Assignees: ZF Friedrichshafen AG - Inventors: Hans-Gerd Brunneke - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130156498A1 ## CPC - F16B 2/065: {using screw-thread elements (F16B2/08 - F16B2/12 take precedence)} - B60G 7/001: {Suspension arms, e.g. constructional features (B60G7/006 takes precedence)} - B60G 7/005: {Ball joints (B60G7/006 takes precedence; for steering linkage B62D7/16; ball joints per se F16C11/06)} - B62D 7/20: Links, e.g. track rods (means for adjusting camber, castor, or toe-in B62D17/00) - F16B 7/182: {for coaxial connections of two rods or tubes} - F16C 7/06: Adjustable connecting-rods - F16C 11/0695: {Mounting of ball-joints, e.g. fixing them to a connecting rod} - B60G 2204/416: Ball or spherical joints - B60G 2206/1112: Manually, for alignment purposes - F16C 2326/05: Vehicle suspensions, e.g. bearings, pivots or connecting rods used therein - F16C 2326/24: Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns - Y10T 403/32204: with threaded joint - Y10T 403/7056: Threaded actuator - Y10T 403/7058: Split or slotted bushing - Y10T 403/7069: Axially oriented - F16B: DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING (couplings for transmitting rotation F16D) - B60G: VEHICLE SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS (air-cushion vehicles B60V; {cycle suspensions B62K25/00}) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A clamping assembly for a strut element. The clamping assembly connects one end of the substantially tubular strut to a threaded bolt. The clamping assembly comprises a threaded sleeve that is arranged in the tubular strut in a radial annular gap between the threaded bolt and the inside cross-section of the strut, in a conical internal thread of the strut. The threaded sleeve has a conical external thread and an internal thread that receives the threaded bolt. The end of the sleeve, that is received by the strut, is radially elastic. The clamping assembly produces a secure and durable connection of the strut to the threaded bolt and avoids weakening of the structure of the strut. Compared with other clamping collars, this clamping assembly saves installation space and avoids the risk of collision with adjacent components. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 1-14. (canceled) ### Claim 15 A clamping assembly of a strut element for a coupling connection of assemblies or components, the clamping assembly comprising: an end area (5) of a substantially tubular strut (1), a threaded bolt (2), a threaded sleeve (6) being arranged in the end area (5) of the strut (1) in a radial annular gap between the threaded bolt (2) and an inside cross-section of the strut (1), and the threaded sleeve having a conical external thread (8) and an internal thread (12) that corresponds to the threaded bolt (2), the end area of the strut (1) having a conical internal thread (11) that corresponds to the external thread (8) of the threaded sleeve (6), and the threaded sleeve (6) being designed to be radially elastic, at least in an area of its end (14) on a strut side. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the external thread (8) of the threaded sleeve (6) and the internal thread (11) of the strut (1) is designed in a shape of a cone section. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The clamping assembly according to claim 16, wherein cone angles of the internal thread (11) of the strut and cone angles of the external thread (8) of the threaded sleeve are the same size. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein the threaded sleeve (6) has, in the area of its end (14) on the strut side, at least one radial slot (13). ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein the threaded sleeve (6) has, in the area of its end (14) on the strut side, a plurality of radial slots (13) distributed uniformly around circumference thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The clamping assembly according to claim 18, wherein an axial length of the at least one radial slot (13) in the threaded sleeve (6) is larger than at least half of a length of the threaded sleeve (6). ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein the threaded sleeve (6) has a collar area with at least one key surface (10). ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein the strut (1) has a key zone with at least one key surface (9). ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein a reinforcing ring (7) is arranged on an outer circumference of the strut (1) in a connection zone (5) with the threaded sleeve (6). ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The clamping assembly according to claim 22, wherein the at least one key surface (9) on the strut side is located on the reinforcing ring (7). ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein thread pitches of the external thread (8) and the internal thread (12) of the threaded sleeve (6) are the same. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the external thread (8) and the internal thread (12) of the threaded sleeve is secured by material-continuous screw retention means. ### Claim 27 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein the threaded bolt (2) is part of a mounting component (4) of the strut element. ### Claim 28 (depends on 15) The clamping assembly according to claim 15, wherein the clamping assembly is part of either a steering rod or a track rod for a coupling connection of chassis components. ### Claim 29 A clamping assembly of a strut element for coupling a strut to a ball joint, the clamping assembly comprising: the strut defining an axis and being tubular, and the strut having an end area with a threaded internal surface which is conical; the ball joint comprises a tubular bolt that extends coaxially with the strut and having a threaded outer surface; a threaded sleeve extending coaxially with the strut and the bolt, the threaded sleeve having an overall axial length and interior and exterior outer surfaces, the interior surface of the threaded sleeve is tubular and threadedly mated with the outer surface of the bolt, the exterior surface of the threaded sleeve is conical and threaded mated with the conical interior surface of the strut such that the threaded sleeve is received within the end area of the strut and the bolt is received within the sleeve; and the threaded sleeve comprises a plurality of axially extending channels that are spaced about a circumference of the threaded sleeve, the channels extending from a strut side end of the threaded sleeve axially for at least half of the overall axial length of the sleeve, the channels facilitate a diametrical reduction of the sleeve as the sleeve rotates with respect to the strut and the conical exterior surface of the sleeve being threadedly mated with the conical interior surface of the strut.