| 摘要 |
<p>An improved pivot joint (10a) has a rotatable and tiltable stud (12a). A rotational preload force is applied to the stud (12a) by a bearing (16a) which is circumferentially stressed in tension to apply a clamping force to the stud (12a). This clamping force resists rotation of the stud (12a) relative to a housing (14a) until a predetermined minimum rotational force is applied to the stud (12a). A tilting or sidewise preload force is applied to the stud (12a). A tilting or sidewise preload force is applied to the stud (12a) by a resiliently compressible bushing (18a) which is disposed between the bearing (16a) and the housing (14a). Since the tilting preload force is applied to the stud (12a) by the bushing (18a), the bearing (16a) can be designed to provide an optimum rotational preload force without regard to tilting preload force design considerations. Similarly, the bushing (18a) can be designed to provide optimum tilting preload forces without regard to design considerations influenced by the rotational preload forces. The pivot joint (10a) is advantageously assembled by resiliently expanding the bearing (16a), moving the stud (12a) into alignment with the bearing (16a) then releasing the bearing (16a) so that it contracts part way back to its initia condition. The diameter of the stud surface (26a) engaged by the bearing (16a) is large enough so that the bearing (16a) cannot fully retract back to its initial condition. This results in tension stresses being set up in the bearing (16a) so that it applies a clamping force against the stud (12a) to hold it against rotation. The bearing (16a) is provided with stop means (112) which limit sideward tilting movement of the stud (12a).</p> |
