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. 20, 2016
Filed:
Dec. 03, 2009
Michael Wilcutt, Birmingham, AL (US);
George Phillips, Bremen, AL (US);
Anthony Dake, Albertville, AL (US);
Rickie Williams, Attalla, AL (US);
Chris Shores, Grant, AL (US);
Kennon Bret Swayer, Crossville, AL (US);
Michael Wilcutt, Birmingham, AL (US);
George Phillips, Bremen, AL (US);
Anthony Dake, Albertville, AL (US);
Rickie Williams, Attalla, AL (US);
Chris Shores, Grant, AL (US);
Kennon Bret Swayer, Crossville, AL (US);
Federal-Mogul Corporation, Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
A replacement ball joint assembly () adapted to be pressed into a previously used and possibly distorted receiving hole () in a suspension component such as a control arm (). A socket housing () of the assembly () includes a plurality of generally annular, concentric knurls () each having a respective crest portion () and separated one from another by intervening relief grooves (). The crest portions () of the knurls () may be tapered so as to provide a lead-in feature to minimize misalignment during a press-in installation operation. The knurls () are preferably softer than the control arm material so that they yield during press-in rather than further disfiguring or enlarging the receiving hole (). Displaced material from the crest portions () of the knurls () flows into the relief grooves ().