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:
Mar. 02, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 12, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
Eric G. Parker, Winnetka, IL (US);
Jason K. Trotter, Des Plaines, IL (US);
Eric David Ross Thompson, South Euclid, OH (US);
Craig L. Simdon, Des Plaines, IL (US);
Assignee:
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
F16C 1/100 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
F16C 1/100 ;
Abstract
A ball and socket joint in a vehicle control link and methods therefor including a ball with a connecting member coupled thereto disposed and pivotally retained in a socket by molding a plastic ball in the socket or by molding a plastic socket about the ball. The ball and socket joint may generally be formed of different materials, and in one embodiment the ball and socket joint is plastic formed by insert molding.