COMBINATION CYLINDRICAL AND SPHERICAL JOINT

摘要

A combination joint affords axial, rotational and tilt movement. The joint includes an inner sleeve having an outer surface with a bearing race adjacent to and in contact with the outer surface of the inner sleeve. The inner sleeve can slide within the bearing race along an inner sleeve axis. The inner sleeve, and optionally the bearing race, can also rotate about the inner sleeve axis. A housing having an inner surface that generally matches an outer surface of the bearing race is also included. An end ring that is located at least partially within the housing and has an inner surface that generally matches the outer surface of the bearing race can also be included. The end ring and the housing afford the bearing race and the inner sleeve to tilt about a housing axis. In this manner, a combination joint capable of axial, rotational and tilt movement is provided.