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:
Sep. 25, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 29, 1999
Thomas G. Spears, Burr Ridge, IL (US);
James R. Ryshavy, Cologne, MN (US);
Northstar Manufacturing Co., Inc., Minnetonka, MN (US);
Abstract
An adjustable ball joint assembly to be secured between the wheel and the apex of an upper control arm member of a motor vehicle suspension system to provide for camber/caster adjustment of motor vehicles with altered suspensions, typically lowered suspensions. The adjustable ball joint includes a ball joint retainer body including a locking plate and with an eccentrically positioned ball socket (opening) formed in the bottom surface of the plate. A stub shaft, fast on the top surface of the locking plate, extends upwardly, with an arcuately configured annular groove formed around its periphery. A tapered boss is positioned adjacent the top surface of the locking plate and configured to be received within the ball joint port of the control arm. At least two locking screws with threaded shanks threadably engaged through the locking plate extend parallel to the wheel axis, with the shank portions being spaced apart a distance such that when advanced, the threaded shanks forceably and threadably engage the inner root diameter of the arcuate groove for locking engagement of the stub shaft within the locking plate.