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US 8,985,604 B2Granted
Cross axis joint with elastomeric isolation
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsSteven C Hopson, Steve S Allen, Kanak Soundrapandian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A front lower control arm assembly includes a front lower control arm and a bushing attached to the arm. The bushing has a first central axis. A ball joint is also attached to the arm. The ball joint has a second central axis oriented substantially perpendicularly to a plane including the first central axis.
Claims9
A ball joint structure comprising:
- a mounting portion defining an opening therein;
- a central portion positioned within the opening;
- a first quantity of elastomeric material extending uninterrupted from the mounting portion to the central portion;
- a second quantity of elastomeric material extending uninterrupted from the mounting portion to the central portion;
- a first void separating the first and second quantities of elastomeric material and extending uninterrupted from the mounting portion to the central portion;
- and
- a second void separating the first and second quantities of elastomeric material and extending uninterrupted from the mounting portion to the central portion,
- wherein the first void is in direct contact with both the first and second quantities of elastomeric material, and the second void is in direct contact with both the first and second quantities of elastomeric material.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.