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:
Aug. 05, 1997
Filed:
Sep. 28, 1995
THK Co., Ltd., Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
The present invention relates to a spherical joint for transmitting rotating and rocking motions between an inner member and an outer member in sliding contact with each other, and provides a spherical joint which is excellent in the mechanical strength and capable of achieving smooth rocking or rotating motions, and a process for manufacturing the spherical joint. In order to achieve this object, according to the present invention, there is provided a spherical joint comprising: an internal member having a convex-spherical surface; an outer member cast by using the inner member as a core and so connected to the inner member as to rock and rotate relative to the inner member; and a bushing sandwiched between the inner member and the outer member and having a concave-spherical surface for sliding contact with the convex-spherical surface of the inner member. When the outer member is to be cast, the bushing made of a thin metal is partially fused to and rigidly unified with the cast outer member.