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:
Jan. 06, 1998
Filed:
Jun. 25, 1996
Akira Nemoto, Toyohashi, JP;
Musashi Seimitsu Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Aichi-ken, JP;
Abstract
A ball-and-socket joint used in a linkage mechanism of the motor vehicle steering device has a ball head of a shank, encompassed by a bearing in a housing. The housing has an end opening at the opposite side of the shank. A joining member made up of a head part and a male screw portion is fitted in the opening at the head part. The head part is integrally formed with a peripheral flange, preferably a flange of flared shape. The surface of the flange is covered with an elastic layer. A fixing ring abuts against the flange to prevent detachment of the joining member from the housing. A closure plate may be interposed between the flange and the bearing and between the flange and the housing. Vibration and shocks imparted to the ball head through the shank is absorbed by the elastic layer without increasing the diametrical dimension of the joint.