PIVOT JOINT ASSEMBLIES HAVING WEAR INDICATOR MEANS

摘要

1364039 Ball and socket joints GENERAL MOTORS CORP 12 April 1973 [17 April 1972] 17620/73 Heading E2F A ball and socket joint comprises a housing 12 open at one end 14 and provided with a first bearing seat 16 against which bears a lower ball half 24, a stud unit 18 comprising a unitary head 20 and a shank 22 located in a plastics sleeve 25 disposed in the lower half 24 of the ball and the upper end of the housing 12 is closed by a cover 21 having an upper part-spherical bearing seat 30 a central portion of the cover 26 being provided with a tubular extension and an indicator 34 which may be pushed inwardly manually to give an indication of wear of the joint. A resilient O-ring 44 provides a seal between the indicator 34 and the cover 26. The lower end of the indicator terminates in a part-spherical surface 42 which conforms to the surface of the head 20 of the stud unit 18. When the joint is worn to such an extent that the distance "A" is reduced to zero, then the joint warrants replacement. .