摘要 |
The ball-and-socket assembly (10) comprises a rod (12) having a ball head (14) at one end thereof, the ball head (14) having a diametrical groove (16) with a flexible member (30) disposed therein and extending radially beyond the outer surface (14A) of the ball head (14). A body (44) includes a bore (46) having a flared entrance wall (50) communicating with an open end (48) of the bore (46), the flared entrance wall (50) extending axially inwardly to a radial shoulder (52) defined between end of the flared entrance wall (50) and a large diameter portion (54) of the bore (46), a small diameter portion (58) of the bore (46) being located axially inwardly of the bore (46) relative to the large diameter portion (54), and a frustoconical wall (56) extending between the small and large diameter portions (54, 58). The ball head (14) and flexible member (30 ) are located within the bore (46) such that the portion (30B) of the flexible member (30) extending beyond the surface (14A) of the ball head (14) is engageable with the shoulder (52) in order to capture the head (14) within the bore (46). Pivoting of the rod (12) relative to the bore (46) causes the flexible member (30) to move diametrically relative to the ball head (14) as a result of engagement with the frustoconical wall (56), and ensures that the ball head (14) remains trapped securely within the bore (46).
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