# US 2018/0320734 A1 · Joint assembly for motion simulator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0320734 A1 - Document ID: US20180320734A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/771,411 - Filed: 2016-10-31 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-29 - Assignees: D-Box Technologies Inc. - Applicants: D-Box Technologies Inc. - Inventors: Robert ROUSSEAU; Benoit LUPIEN; Steve BOULAIS; Jean-Francois MENARD - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180320734A1 ## CPC - F16C 11/08: with resilient bearings - F16C 11/0647: {Special features relating to adjustment for wear or play; Wear indicators} - F16C 11/0685: {Manufacture of ball-joints and parts thereof, e.g. assembly of ball-joints} - F16C 11/083: {by means of parts of rubber or like materials} - G09B 9/00: Simulators for teaching or training purposes (for the use of weapons F41; computing aspects G06; {protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality H04L67/131}) - G09B 9/12: Motion systems for aircraft simulators - F16C 11/0609: {made from two or more parts} - F16C 11/0657: {the socket member being mainly made of plastics} - F16C 11/0695: {Mounting of ball-joints, e.g. fixing them to a connecting rod} - F16C 2208/10: Elastomers; Rubbers - F16C 2208/78: Polyethylene [PE], e.g. ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene [UHMWPE] - F16C 2361/00: Apparatus or articles in engineering in general - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - G09B: EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS (devices for psychotechnics or for testing reaction times A61B5/16; games, sports, amusements A63; projectors, projector screens G03B) ## Abstract A joint assembly between a first component and a second component comprises a ball portion configured to be connected to the first component. A socket is configured to be connected to the second component or ground and comprises a socket base, a socket cover, and a spherical joint cavity within the assembled socket base and socket cover to receive the ball portion to form a spherical joint. At least one biasing member is in the joint assembly. A clamp clamps the socket base to the socket cover such that the at least one biasing member biases the socket base and the socket cover toward one another. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A joint assembly between a first component and a second component comprising: a ball portion configured to be connected to the first component; a socket configured to be connected to the second component or ground and comprising a socket base, a socket cover, a spherical joint cavity within the assembled socket base and socket cover to receive the ball portion to form a spherical joint; at least one biasing member in the joint assembly; and a clamp clamping the socket base to the socket cover such that the at least one biasing member biases the socket base and the socket cover toward one another. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the clamp includes a cap mounted onto the socket cover, and connected to the socket base, a translational joint being formed between the cap and the socket cover enabling biasing action of the socket cover toward the socket base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The joint assembly according to claim 2, wherein the cap includes at least one C-shaped clip contacting an annular surface of the socket base. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The joint assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cap includes at least one fastener screwingly engaged to the at least one C-shaped clip. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing member is between the clamp and the socket cover. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one biasing member is an elastomeric ring. ### Claim at position 7 -9. (canceled) ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the socket cover has a countersink opening configured for allowing connection of the first component to the ball portion, wherein the countersink opening tapers toward the ball portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The joint assembly according to claim 10, further comprising a threaded rod received in a threaded bore in the ball portion and projecting out of the spherical joint cavity through the countersink opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The joint assembly according to claim 1, wherein the socket base has a flange at an end away from the spherical joint cavity, and further comprising a housing enclosing the flange to form a translation joint therewith. ### Claim 13 A motion simulator comprising: an output; at least one linear actuator between the output and a support structure; at least one joint assembly between the at least one linear actuator, and one of the output and the support structure, the joint assembly comprising a ball portion connected to either the at least one linear actuator, or one of the output and the support structure; a socket connected to either the at least one linear actuator, or one of the output and the support structure complementary to that connected to the ball portion, and comprising a socket base, a socket cover, and a spherical joint cavity within the assembled socket base and socket cover to receive the ball portion to form a spherical joint; at least one biasing member in the joint assembly; and a clamp clamping the socket base to the socket cover such that the at least one biasing member biases the socket base and the socket cover toward one another. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The motion simulator according to claim 13, wherein the clamp includes a cap mounted onto the socket cover, and connected to the socket base, a translational joint being formed between the cap and the socket cover enabling biasing action of the socket cover toward the socket base. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The motion simulator according to claim 14, wherein the cap includes at least one C-shaped clip contacting an annular surface of the socket base. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The motion simulator according to claim 15, wherein the cap includes at least one fastener screwingly engaged to the at least one C-shaped clip. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The motion simulator according to claim 13, wherein the at least one biasing member is between the clamp and the socket cover. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The motion simulator according to claim 13, wherein the at least one biasing member is an elastomeric ring. ### Claim at position 17 -21. (canceled) ### Claim 22 (depends on 13) The motion simulator according to claim 13, wherein the socket cover has a countersink opening for connection with either the at least one linear actuator, or one of the output and the support structure, wherein the countersink opening tapers toward the ball portion. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The motion simulator according to claim 22, further comprising a threaded rod received in a threaded bore in the ball portion and projecting out of the spherical joint cavity through the countersink opening. ### Claim 24 (depends on 13) The motion simulator according to claim 13, wherein the socket base has a flange at an end away from the spherical joint cavity, and further comprising a housing enclosing the flange to form a translation joint therewith. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The motion simulator according to claim 24, wherein the housing is connected to the support structure, the support structure being the floor. ### Claim at position 22 -32. (canceled)