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US 5,066,160 AGranted
Ball joint
AssigneeTRW Inc.
InventorRuey E. Wood
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A ball joint has a folded, stamped metal housing with increased strength and a seal to contain a liquid lubricant from leaking out through the housing seam. An annular steel support seat member reinforces the stamped housing structure and has an outer flange received in a recess in the housing to cover the seam.
Claims9
A ball joint comprising:
- a stud having a ball end and a shank extending from said ball end along an axis of said stud;
- a housing containing said ball end, said housing comprising a single piece of sheet metal having a first surface and a second surface, said piece of sheet metal being folded to place said first and second surfaces in overlying relationship to define a seam therebetween, said seam having a length extending circumferentially about said axis;
- and
- a rigid support seat member received in said housing, said support set member having a radially inner surface slidably engaging said ball end and having a radially outer surface portion extending axially across said seam and coextensively with said seam about said axis.
1 more element
A ball joint comprising:
- a housing comprising a single piece of sheet metal having a cup-shaped first portion with a first surface, a cup-shaped second portion with a second surface, and a hinge portion connecting said first and second portions, said first and second portions being relatively pivoted about said hinge portion into an overlying relationship to define a chamber with an axis, said surfaces being in overlying relationship to define a seam extending circumferentially about said axis;
- a stud having a ball end in said chamber and a shank extending from said ball end;
- and
- a rigid support seat member received in said chamber, said support seat member having a radially inner bearing surface slidably engaging said ball end and a radially outer surface portion extending axially across said seam and coextensively with said seam about said axis.
1 more element
A ball joint comprising:
- a stud having a ball end and a shank extending from said ball end;
- a housing comprising a first section with a first opening, a second section with a second opening, a hinge section connecting said first and second sections, and a third section having a cup shape with a circular flange, said first and second sections being relatively pivoted about sad hinge section into an overlying relationship, said third section extending through said second opening with said flange clamped between said first and second sections, said third section and said first section defining a chamber having an axis, said chamber containing said ball end with said shank extending outward from said first opening, said third section and said first section further defining a seam extending circumferentially about said chamber and radially from said chamber;
- and
- a rigid support seat member received in said chamber, said support seat member having a radially inner surface slidably engaged with said ball end, and a radially outer surface portion extending axially across said seam and coextensively with said seam about said chamber.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.