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:
Oct. 25, 2016
Filed:
May. 21, 2008
George R. Schmidt, St. Louis, MO (US);
Tom Byrnes, St. Charles, MO (US);
Glen Parker, St. Peters, MO (US);
George R. Schmidt, St. Louis, MO (US);
Tom Byrnes, St. Charles, MO (US);
Glen Parker, St. Peters, MO (US);
Federal-Mogul Powertrain, Inc., Southfield, MI (US);
Abstract
A ball joint assembly includes a ball stud, a generally cylindrical bearing, a housing and a retainer which retains the bearing in the housing. The generally cylindrical bearing has an upper end, a lower end, a generally cylindrical exterior sidewall, an upper flange located between the upper end and a ring groove formed in the exterior sidewall, a lower flange proximate the lower end and extending outwardly from the exterior sidewall and a socket cavity that opens toward the lower end. The ball portion of the ball stud is engaged in and retained within the socket cavity. The bearing is secured within the housing in a bore within the housing by virtue of the working of the lower flange which is located within a counterbore of the housing and the upper flange and retainer located in the ring groove. Ball joints of the type described are able to resist a pull-out force of greater than 650 lbs and up to about 1200 lbs. They may also be sealed by incorporation of a dust boot which is attached to extends between the housing and the stud portion of the ball stud.