US4367968A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ball joint
Assignee: Tokico Ltd
•
Filing: 1980-10-23
•
Granted: 1983-01-11
•
Expires: 2000-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A ball joint includes a ball member having a spherical end, and a socket member having a recess for rockingly receiving therein the spherical end of the ball member. At least one pin is mounted on the socket member and has opposite ends which pass through aligned openings formed in the socket member. A central portion of the pin slidingly engages with the spherical surface of the spherical end of the ball member thereby retaining the spherical end of the ball member.
Inventors
- 👤 Kunio Ishida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:37
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16C; F16C11/00; F16C11/04; F16C11/06; F16C11/0685; F16C11/069; E; E05; E05F; E05F1/00; E05F1/08; E05F1/10; E05F1/1091; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/32; F16F9/54; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32606; Y10T403/32631; Y10T403/70; Y10T403/7075; Y10T403/7077; Y10T403/7079; Y10T403/7088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A ball joint comprising: a ball member having a spherical end; a socket member formed of a synthetic resin material and having a recess; said spherical end being received in said recess such that said ball member is rockable with respect to said socket member; a generally U-shaped pin member having two generally parallel legs joined by a central portion; said legs of said pin member being inserted through respective openings in said socket member, with center portions of said legs engaging the exterior of said spherical end, thereby retaining said spherical end within said recess; and projection means formed integrally with said socket member on the exterior thereof for retaining said pin member in the inserted position thereof, said projection means including resilient means defining an opening portion resiliently receiving therein said central portion of said pin member when said legs of said pin member are inserted into said openings in said socket member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A ball joint comprising: a ball member having a spherical end; a socket member formed of a synthetic resin material and having a recess; said spherical end being received in said recess such that said ball member is rockable with respect to said socket member; a generally U-shaped pin member having two generally parallel legs joined by a central portion; said legs of said pin member being inserted through respective openings in said socket member, with center portions of said legs engaging the exterior of said spherical end, thereby retaining said spherical end within said recess; and projection means formed integrally with said socket member on the exterior thereof for retaining said pin member in the inserted position thereof, said projection means including resilient means defining an opening portion resiliently receiving therein said central portion of said pin member when said legs of said pin member are inserted into said openings in said socket member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
A ball joint as claimed in claim 1, wherein said projection means comprise two projections integrally formed with said socket member of said synthetic resin material, each said projection including therein a said opening portion comprising an opening of a size to receive said central portion of said pin member when said pin member is in the fully inserted position thereof and a cut-out portion extending through said projection into said opening, said cut-out portion being of a size to resiliently deform to allow passage therethrough into said opening of said central portion of said pin member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A ball joint as claimed in claim 2, wherein said each said opening has a generally circular cross-sectional configuration.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A ball joint as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the outer surface of said spherical end rockably contacts the surface of said socket member defining said recess.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE7432114U
Cited
DE483103C
Cited
GB205689A
Cited
GB264575A
Cited
GB258201A
Cited
DE464438C
Cited
GB329749A
Cited
GB352605A
Cited
GB544759A
Cited
GB1170011A
Cited
US3527485A
Cited
GB1354985A
Cited
US3698747A
Cited
GB1535955A
Cited
US4145076A
Cited
US4222680A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-10 | 1986-07-12 | 1987-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-10 | 1990-07-12 | 1991-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-10 | 1994-07-12 | 1995-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |