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US4297047A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ball and socket joint

Assignee: Whitnash PLC
•
Filing: 1980-06-05
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Granted: 1981-10-27
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Expires: 2000-06-05
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to ball and socket joint assemblies having a socket housing with a cavity in which the head of a ball pin is located. The cavity has a resilient lining, preferably in the form of a bearing cup; and a resilient end cap located in the bottom of the lined cavity so that after assembly of the joint the lining provides a bearing surface on one side of the head, and the end cap provides a bearing surface on the other side of the head. The end cap and the lining are spaced apart by resilient ribs that are held in compression by assembly of the joint.

Inventors

  • 👤 David J. R. Farrant

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 00:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0619; F16C11/0623; F16C11/0628; F16C11/0633; F16C11/0638; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/32737; Y10T403/32762

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 147 words
A ball and socket assembly for the steering and suspension system of a motor vehicle and comprising: a socket housing having a cavity defined therein; a ball pin, the head of which is located in the cavity and the shank of which extends through the mouth of said cavity; a resilient cup shaped lining located in the cavity and the mouth of which provides a bearing surface for the head of the pin adjacent the mouth of the cavity; and a resilient end cap located in the base of the cup shaped lining to provide a bearing surface for the head of the pin in the base of the cavity, said end cap having a face thereon that is opposed to a co-operating face of the cup shaped lining, said opposed faces being spaced apart by resilient projections held in compression by the assembly of the joint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 147 words
A ball and socket assembly for the steering and suspension system of a motor vehicle and comprising: a socket housing having a cavity defined therein; a ball pin, the head of which is located in the cavity and the shank of which extends through the mouth of said cavity; a resilient cup shaped lining located in the cavity and the mouth of which provides a bearing surface for the head of the pin adjacent the mouth of the cavity; and a resilient end cap located in the base of the cup shaped lining to provide a bearing surface for the head of the pin in the base of the cavity, said end cap having a face thereon that is opposed to a co-operating face of the cup shaped lining, said opposed faces being spaced apart by resilient projections held in compression by the assembly of the joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 18 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the projections are integral with the base of the lining.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 31 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the projections are ribs that radiate from a centre located on an axis passing through the centre of the head of the pin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ribs are formed as sets of ribs having different respective heights.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 19 words
An assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the resilient lining is a unitary cup fitted into the cavity.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB982885A Cited
US3363921A Cited
GB1195831A Cited
US3554586A Cited
GB1280527A Cited
US3574369A Cited
GB1315406A Cited
GB1398106A Cited
GB1512023A Cited
GB1506059A Cited
GB1490874A Cited
JPS5234167A Cited
GB2003970A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1984-10-26 1985-04-27 1985-10-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1988-10-26 1989-04-27 1989-10-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1992-10-26 1993-04-27 1993-10-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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