Flexible joint
OwnerDouglas H. Powellinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One example embodiment includes a flexible joint for attachment to a suspension link. The flexible joint includes a housing. The housing includes an external surface and an internal surface. The flexible joint also includes a flexible joint insert. The flexible joint insert includes an inner sleeve. The inner sleeve includes a channel, where the channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an external device, and an external surface. The flexible joint insert also includes an elastomer. The elastomer is fused to at least a portion of the external surface of the inner sleeve. A portion of the elastomer is in contact with the internal surface of the housing. The elastomer is not permanently attached to the housing.
Claims20
A flexible joint for attachment to a suspension link, the flexible joint comprising:
- a housing, wherein the housing includes:
- an external surface;
- and
- an internal surface;
- and
- a flexible joint insert, wherein the flexible joint insert includes:
- an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve includes:
- a channel, wherein the channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an external device;
- and
- an external surface;
- and
- an elastomer, wherein:
- the elastomer is fused to at least a portion of the external surface of the inner sleeve;
- a portion of the elastomer is in contact with the internal surface of the housing;
- and
- the elastomer is not permanently attached to the housing.
(canceled)
A suspension link, the suspension link comprising:
- a body;
- a flexible joint, wherein the flexible joint includes:
- a housing, wherein the housing includes:
- an external surface;
- and
- an internal surface;
- and
- a flexible joint insert, wherein the flexible joint insert:
- is configured to be inserted in the housing;
- and
- includes:
- an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve includes:
- a channel, wherein the channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an external device;
- and
- an external surface, wherein at least a portion of the external surface of the inner sleeve is convex;
- an elastomer, wherein:
- at least a portion of the elastomer is concave;
- the concave portion of the elastomer is permanently attached to the convex portion of the external surface of the inner sleeve;
- a portion of the elastomer is in contact with the internal surface of the housing;
- and
- the elastomer is not permanently attached to the housing.
-13. (canceled)
A suspension link, the suspension link comprising:
- a body;
- a flexible joint, wherein the flexible joint includes:
- a housing, wherein the housing includes:
- an external surface;
- an internal surface;
- and
- an opening;
- and
- an attachment, wherein the attachment:
- is connected to the external surface of the housing;
- and
- is configured to affix the flexible joint to the body;
- and
- a flexible joint insert, wherein the flexible joint insert:
- is configured to be inserted in the housing;
- and
- includes:
- an inner sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve includes:
- a channel, wherein the channel is configured to receive at least a portion of an external device;
- and
- an external surface, wherein at least a portion of the external surface of the inner sleeve is convex;
- an elastomer, wherein:
- at least a portion of the elastomer is concave;
- the concave portion of the elastomer is permanently attached to the convex portion of the external surface of the inner sleeve;
- and
- a portion of the elastomer is in contact with the internal surface of the housing;
- and
- the elastomer is not permanently attached to the housing;
- a retaining member, wherein the retaining member is configured to retain the flexible joint insert at the opening of the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.