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US 6,875,388 B2Granted
Method for making a ball and socket joint
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsJason K. Trotter, Robert K. Dutzi
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A molding-in-place technique for joint assemblies, such as a ball joint. The technique is particularly well suited for molding “in-place” a linkage structure about a joint structure. The technique uses a molding assembly having a plurality of centering and sealing structures for sealingly centering the linkage structure about the joint structure. A desired mold material is injected between the linkage structure and the joint structure “in-place” to provide a self-toleranced, self-retained, molded-in-place joint assembly.
Claims42
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- providing a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud;
- and
- over-molding the studded ball movably within a desired structure to form the mechanical joint, wherein the studded ball is configured for coupling to a desired mechanical linkage, wherein over-molding comprises providing a desired mold layer about the studded ball, wherein providing the desired mold layer comprises positioning a spring loaded mold assembly about opposite open portions of the desired structure.
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- molding a ball about a stud to form a studded ball;
- and
- over-molding the studded ball movably within a desired structure to form the mechanical joint, wherein over-molding comprises creating a temperature differential in which the studded ball is hotter than the desired structure, wherein creating the temperature differential comprises cooling the desired structure.
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- molding a ball about a stud to form a studded ball;
- and
- over-molding the studded ball movably within a desired structure to form the mechanical joint, wherein over-molding comprises creating a temperature differential in which the studded ball is hotter than the desired structure, wherein creating the temperature differential comprises solidifying mold material from the desired structure inwardly to the studded ball.
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- providing a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud, wherein the studded ball is configured for coupling to a desired mechanical linkage;
- and
- over-molding the studded ball movably within a desired structure to form the mechanical joint, wherein over-molding comprises centering the studded ball within the desired structure, wherein centering comprises abutting first and second centering portions of first and second mold structures against the desired structure and the studded ball, respectively, wherein abutting the first centering portion comprises disposing a mold injection nozzle sealingly against a first open portion of the desired structure.
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- providing a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud, wherein the studded ball is configured for coupling to a desired mechanical linkage;
- and
- over-molding the studded ball movably within a desired structure to form the mechanical joint, wherein over-molding comprises centering the studded ball within the desired structure, wherein centering comprises abutting first and second centering portions of first and second mold structures against the desired structure and the studded ball, respectively, wherein over-molding comprises retracting at least one of the first and second centering portions prior to solidification of the mold material.
A molding method for a mechanical joint, comprising:
- providing a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud;
- injecting mold material into a cavity between the studded ball and a support structure for the studded ball;
- substantially centering the studded ball within the support structure, wherein substantially centering comprises abutting first and second centering portions of a symmetrical mold assembly against the support structure and the studded ball, respectively, wherein injecting comprises injecting mold material into the cavity adjacent the first centering portion and simultaneously forcing the studded ball against the second centering portion via fluid pressure of the injected mold material;
- and
- self-tolerancing the studded ball movably within the mold material.
2 more elements
A molding method for a mechanical joint, comprising:
- providing a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud;
- injecting mold material into a cavity between the studded ball and a support structure for the studded ball;
- substantially centering the studded ball within the support structure;
- and
- self-tolerancing the studded ball movably within the mold material, wherein self-tolerancing comprises facilitating heat transfer between the studded bail and the support structure via a temperature differential in which the support structure is cooler than the studded ball.
2 more elements
The molding method of claim 31, wherein facilitating heat transfer comprises cooling the mold material inwardly from the support structure to the studded ball.
A molding method for a mechanical joint, comprising:
- providing a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud;
- injecting mold material into a cavity between the studded ball and a support structure for the studded ball;
- substantially centering the studded ball within the support structure;
- and
- self-tolerancing the studded ball movably within the mold material, wherein injecting mold material comprises molding in place the studded ball in the support structure.
2 more elements
A molding method for a mechanical joint, comprising:
- providing a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud;
- injecting mold material into a cavity between the studded ball and a support structure for the studded ball;
- substantially centering the studded ball within the support structure;
- and
- self-tolerancing the studded ball movably within the mold material, wherein injecting mold material comprises fanning at least one molded in place layer having a low friction surface adjacent the studded ball.
2 more elements
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- centering a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud;
- independently centering a desired structure relative to the studded ball;
- and
- injecting mold material between the studded ball and the desired structure, wherein centering and independently centering comprise abutting first and second centering structures against the desired structure and the studded ball, respectively, wherein abutting comprises biasing the first and second structures inwardly toward one another.
1 more element
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- centering a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud;
- independently centering a desired structure relative to the studded ball;
- and
- injecting mold material between the studded ball and the desired structure, wherein centering and independently centering comprise abutting first and second centering structures against the desired structure and the studded ball, respectively, wherein abutting comprises:
- engaging the first centering structure against the desired structure at a first end of the desired structure;
- and
- contacting the second centering structure against the studded ball adjacent a second end of the desired structure.
4 more elements
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- centering a studded ball having a ball molded about a stud;
- independently centering a desired structure relative to the studded ball;
- and
- injecting mold material between the studded ball and the desired structure, where injecting mold material comprises pressurably biasing the studded ball toward a centering structure.
1 more element
A method of forming a mechanical joint, comprising:
- providing a studded ball in an oversized socket;
- creating a temperature differential in which the temperature of the studded ball is greater than the temperature of the socket;
- and
- injecting mold material into the oversized socket about the studded ball.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.