The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 26, 1991
Filed:
May. 23, 1989
Applicant:
Inventors:
Assignee:
Toyota Jishoda Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota, JP;
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16C / ; F16D / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
403133 ; 29510 ; 403131 ; 403137 ; 403128 ; 403280 ; 384623 ;
Abstract
A ball joint includes a pair of generally hemispheric head members including facing surfaces. A bearing member is disposed between the facing surfaces. One of the head members is connected to a ball stud, the other includes a shank hole through which the ball stud passes. Both head members are enclosed in a ball seat which is deformed into conformity with a generally spherical outer surface of the combined first and second head members by a socket that is formed about them. An elastic member between the socket and the ball seat applies an axial force to said first and second head members, whereby a substantial preload on the ball joint permits take-up of wear during use.