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US 4,797,019 AGranted
Bearing for a joint
AssigneeTRW Inc.
InventorRuey E. Wood, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A joint includes a stud, a socket, and an elastomeric bearing disposed between the stud and the socket. The stud includes a head portion and a shank portion extending from the head portion. The socket has a surface defining a chamber in which the head portion is disposed. The socket also has an opening through which the shank portion extends. The elastomeric bearing has a first portion and a second portion of a higher durometer than the first portion. The second portion is integrally formed with the first portion.
Claims7
A joint comprising:
- a stud including a head portion and a shank portion extending from said head portion;
- a socket having a surface defining a chamber in which said head portion is disposed and an opening through which said shank portion extends;
- and
- means for resisting relative pivotal movement of said ball stud and said socket with a first resistance and then a second resistance, said second resistance being greater than said first resistance, said means including a bearing disposed between said stud and said socket comprising:
- a first layer of an elastomeric material for exerting said first resistance upon relative pivotal movement of said stud and said socket;
- a second layer of another elastomeric material for exerting said second resistance upon a predetermined amount of relative pivotal movement of said stud and said socket;
- and
- a retainer disposed between sid first layer and said second layer, said retainer having a portion engageable by said shank portion upon the predetermined amount of relative pivotal movement of said ball stud and said socket for transmitting movement to said second layer.
5 more elements
A joint comprising:
- a stud including a head portion and a shank portion extending therefrom;
- a socket having a surface defining a chamber in which said head portion is disposed and an opening through which said shank portion extends;
- and
- an elastomeric bearing disposed between said head portion and said socket, said elastomeric bearing having a resilient portion and another portion of a higher durometer than said resilient portion integrally formed as one piece with said resilient portion, said another portion being disposed between said resilient portion and said socket adjacent said opening for resisting pivotal movement of said stud relative to said socket upon a predetermined amount of relative pivotal movement therebetween;
- and
- a retainer disposed between said resilient portion and said another portion, said retainer having a portion engageable by said shank portion of said stud upon the predetermined amount of relative movement of said stud and socket for transmitting movement to said another portion of said elastomeric bearing.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.