| 摘要 |
<p>Sealed ball and socket joints having a spherical member capable of swiveling relative to a socket member. A bearing shell disposed with or without clearance in a housing has a concave spherical surface portion in swiveling engagement with the spherical member, and a pair of symmetrically disposed resilient rings installed between the bearing shell and the inner surface of the housing constantly urge the bearing surface of the bearing shell into engagement with the spherical member surface to prevent rattle and to compensate for wear. Substantially circumscribing the bearing shell in mutual contact therewith, a metallic ring is sandwiched between the pair of resilient rings and functions to transmit heavy load forces from the spherical member to the housing. A bellows seal, formed integrally with one of the resilient rings or, alternativley, formed separate, is fastened at one end in the shell. The bellows seal is held elastically at its other end around a portion of the spherical member. A second seal, disposed in the same manner, seals the gap between the shell and the spherical member in some structures, or the other end of the housing is closed by a separate end cap in other structures wherein the spherical member is a ball formed on the end of a stud. The bearings are prepacked with a lubricant, and the elements, including the resilient rings, are held in assembly by at least one spring snap ring retainer permitting disassembly for repacking with lubricant or for repairing the joints.</p> |
