US4290181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball joint forming method and apparatus therefor
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1979-10-22
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Granted: 1981-09-22
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Expires: 1999-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for constructing ball joints includes positioning a ball within a ball joint socket. Plastic-bearing material is then allowed to congeal in the socket while in contact with the ball. A positioning fixture maintains the ball in the desired spaced position in the socket while also maintaining a seal between the ball and the socket housing so that the bearing material may be pressurized as it congeals.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert W. Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:49
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/14754; C; C08; C08F; C08F6/00; C08F6/06; C08F6/12; F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0619; F16C11/0623; F16C11/0628; F16C11/0633; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49636; Y10T29/49643; Y10T29/49647; Y10T29/49648; Y10T29/49657; Y10T29/49659; Y10T29/49826; Y10T29/49885
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of constructing a ball joint comprising the steps of: forming an open-ended ball-receiving cavity in a housing; inserting a ball with a stud projecting therefrom through said open end of said cavity and into said cavity to a position in which the ball cooperates with the wall of the cavity to define a chamber therebetween and in which the stud projects away from the housing; engaging said ball and said housing with a fixture to control the dimension of said chamber, said fixture including a shoulder extending from said ball to said housing; injecting a pressurized plastic bearing material into said chamber to engage said plastic bearing material with said fixture shoulder and completely fill said chamber; allowing said plastic bearing material to congeal in said chamber with the ball in contact with the bearing material; rotating said ball on said fixture as said bearing material congeals while maintaining said bearing material under pressure; attaching a retaining ring to said housing adjacent said open end of said cavity to retain said ball and said bearing material within said cavity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of constructing a ball joint comprising the steps of: forming an open-ended ball-receiving cavity in a housing; inserting a ball with a stud projecting therefrom through said open end of said cavity and into said cavity to a position in which the ball cooperates with the wall of the cavity to define a chamber therebetween and in which the stud projects away from the housing; engaging said ball and said housing with a fixture to control the dimension of said chamber, said fixture including a shoulder extending from said ball to said housing; injecting a pressurized plastic bearing material into said chamber to engage said plastic bearing material with said fixture shoulder and completely fill said chamber; allowing said plastic bearing material to congeal in said chamber with the ball in contact with the bearing material; rotating said ball on said fixture as said bearing material congeals while maintaining said bearing material under pressure; attaching a retaining ring to said housing adjacent said open end of said cavity to retain said ball and said bearing material within said cavity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3218383A
Cited
US3259963A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-09-21 | 1985-03-23 | 1985-09-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-09-21 | 1989-03-23 | 1989-09-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-09-21 | 1993-03-23 | 1993-09-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |