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US 2020/0003252 A1Published application
Ball joint assembly
AssigneeSynergy Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorAndrew J. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Adjustable and rebuildable ball joint assemblies are disclosed. Methods for installation, adjustment, and rebuilding ball joint assemblies are described. In some embodiments, the ball joint assembly includes a washer with tabs to restrain rotation of the cap relative to the housing. In some embodiments, the ball joint assembly includes a locking mechanism to restrain rotation of the bearing relative to the housing.
Claims20
A ball joint assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity and a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising an opening;
- a bearing configured to be positioned at the proximal end of the housing;
- an elongated ball stud extending axially from a distal end to a proximal end, the proximal end having a rounded ball end configured to be received into the cavity of the housing and to be rotatably supported with at least a portion of the elongated ball stud located distal to the bearing;
- a washer having a body defining an opening, the opening of the washer configured to fit over the elongated ball stud to position the body distal to the housing, the washer comprising a first tab and a second tab each extending away from the body, the first tab configured to engage with the housing in a first configuration to prevent rotation of the washer about the longitudinal axis relative to the housing;
- and
- a cap having a body defining an opening, the opening of the cap configured to fit over the elongated ball stud and engage with the housing with at least a portion of the cap located distal to the washer,
- wherein the second tab of the washer is moveable between a first configuration, wherein the second tab engages with the cap to prevent rotation of the cap about the longitudinal axis relative to the washer, and a second configuration, wherein the second tab does not prevent rotation of the cap about the longitudinal axis relative to the washer.
4 more elements
A ball joint assembly comprising:
- a housing defining a cavity and a longitudinal axis, the housing comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising an opening;
- a bearing configured to be positioned in the cavity, the bearing comprising a proximal portion and distal portion, the proximal portion configured to be positioned at the proximal end of the housing, and the distal portion configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis relative to the proximal portion;
- a pin configured to engage the housing and the proximal portion of the bearing to prevent rotation of the proximal portion about the longitudinal axis relative to the housing;
- an elongated ball stud extending axially from a distal end to a proximal end, the proximal end having a rounded ball end configured to be received into the cavity of the housing and to be rotatably supported by the distal portion of the bearing with at least a portion of the elongated ball stud located distal to the bearing;
- and
- a cap having a body defining an opening, the opening configured to fit over the elongated ball stud and engage with the housing.
3 more elements
A method of installing a lower ball joint assembly into a vehicle comprising:
- positioning a housing into a component of the vehicle, the housing defining a cavity and a longitudinal axis and comprising a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end comprising an opening;
- positioning a bearing in the cavity of the housing;
- advancing a ball stud proximally into the cavity of the housing such that the bearing rotatably supports the ball stud;
- positioning a cap over the elongated ball stud and engaging the cap with the housing;
- and
- restraining rotation of the cap relative to the housing.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.