# US 5,704,726 A · Ball-and-socket joint

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,704,726 A
- Document ID: US5704726A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/674,648
- Filed: 1996-06-25
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1995-12-28
- Assignees: Musashi Seimitsu Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Akira Nemoto
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704726A

## CPC

- F16C 11/086: {with an elastomeric member in the blind end of a socket}
- B62D 7/16: Arrangement of linkage connections (pivots per se F16C)
- F16C 11/0652: {combined with a damper other than elastic linings}
- F16C 2326/24: Steering systems, e.g. steering rods or columns
- Y10T 403/32713: Elastomerically biased or backed components
- Y10T 403/32721: Elastomeric seat
- Y10T 403/32811: Spring-biased
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A ball-and-socket joint used in a linkage mechanism of the motor vehicle steering device has a ball head of a shank, encompassed by a bearing in a housing. The housing has an end opening at the opposite side of the shank. A joining member made up of a head part and a male screw portion is fitted in the opening at the head part. The head part is integrally formed with a peripheral flange, preferably a flange of flared shape. The surface of the flange is covered with an elastic layer. A fixing ring abuts against the flange to prevent detachment of the joining member from the housing. A closure plate may be interposed between the flange and the bearing and between the flange and the housing. Vibration and shocks imparted to the ball head through the shank is absorbed by the elastic layer without increasing the diametrical dimension of the joint.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A ball-and-socket joint comprising:
a ball head provided at an end of a shank of a rod;
a bearing encompassing and slidably holding the ball head;
a housing holding the bearing therein and having at a first end thereof a first opening through which said shank extends outwards, said housing having a second opening at a second end thereof opposite said first opening;
a joining member provided at said second end for joining the housing to another member, said joining member having a head part with a peripheral flange formed thereon, said head part and said peripheral flange defining an end surface and being fitted in said second opening, said peripheral flange having a peripheral surface and a rear surface opposite said end surface said peripheral surface located between said end surface and said rear surface;
an elastic layer made of an elastic material and applied to both said end surface and said peripheral surface so that the elastic layer is interposed between said bearing and said joining member and between said housing and said joining member; and
means for preventing detachment of said joining member from within said second opening;
whereby vibration and shocks applied to a side of said rod are absorbed by the elastic layer and prevented from being transmitted to a side of said joining member.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 1, wherein said end surface is a planar surface.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 1, wherein said elastic layer extends to cover said rear surface of the flange.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 1, wherein said means for preventing detachment comprises a fixing ring fitted and secured in said second opening.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 4, wherein said second opening has a shoulder for abutment with said fixing ring.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

The ball-and socket joint according to claim 4, further comprising a closure plate fitted between said housing and said elastic layer on said end surface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 6, wherein said closure plate is in abutment with said bearing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 6, wherein said closure plate is in abutment with said fixing ring.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 1, wherein said peripheral flange is a flared flange diverging toward the bearing so that said end surface is formed in a flared end surface.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 9, wherein said bearing has an inner surface facing said flared end surface of the joining member, said inner surface of the bearing being formed in a shape complementary to the shape of the flared end surface.

### Claim 11

A ball-and-socket joint comprising:
a ball head provided at an end of a shank of a rod;
a bearing encompassing and slidably holding the ball head;
a housing holding the bearing therein and having at a first end thereof a first opening through which said shank extends outward, slid housing having a second opening at a second end thereof opposite said first opening;
a joining member provided at said second end for joining the housing to another member, said joining member having a head part with a peripheral flange formed thereon, said head part and said peripheral flange defining an end surface and being fitted in said second opening, said peripheral flange having a peripheral surface and a rear surface opposite said end surface and being flared so as to diverge toward said bearing so that said end surface is formed as a flared end surface;
said bearing having an inner surface facing said flared end surface of the joining member, said inner surface of the bearing being formed in a shape complementary to the shape of the flared end surface;
an elastic layer made of an elastic material and applied to said end surface in at least the region of said peripheral flange so that the elastic layer is interposed between said bearing and said joining member and between said housing and said joining member;
a closure plate interposed between said elastic layer and said housing and between said elastic layer and said inner surface of the bearing; and means for preventing detachment of said joining member from within said second opening;
whereby vibration and shocks applied to a side of said rod are absorbed by the elastic layer and prevented from being transmitted to a side of said joining member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 11, wherein said elastic layer extends to said peripheral surface of the flange.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 12, wherein said elastic layer extends to said rear surface of the flange.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 11, wherein said means for preventing detachment comprises a fixing ring fitted and secured in said second opening.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 14, wherein said fixing ring includes a thickened base end and a cylindrical portion extending from the base end, said base end abutting said rear side of the flange and said cylindrical portion abutting said peripheral surface of the flange.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 11, wherein said peripheral surface of the flange has a rounded sectional shape.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The ball-and-socket joint according to claim 13, wherein said means for preventing detachment comprises a fixing ring fitted and secured in said second opening and having protrusions extending into the elastic layer.