Alexander J Craig

US Patent:

47688955, Sep 6, 1988

Filed:

Jun 8, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/059760

Inventors:

George C. Ludwig - Marion SC
Alexander J. Craig - Rock Hill SC

Assignee:

AVM, Inc. - Marion SC

International Classification:

F16C 1100

US Classification:

403 77

Abstract:

A captive ball in a socket joint made with a minimum number of units capable of mass production and readily assembled with minimum labor. The ball and socket structure enables easy connection of the ball component to a machine element via open access to the ball component for a power driven tool, such as a pneumatic, rotary driver. The socket unit is a single unitary lug-shaped stamping made from flat sheet metal in which a socket recess with a spherical bottom is stamped or formed with a slotted aperture therethrough. The ball unit is a single unitary screw the head of which is ball-shaped and includes an integral drive device in the ball head. The screw-threaded shank of the ball unit projects through the socket unit aperture with the ball-head received in the socket recess. The slotted aperture permits universal swiveling movement of the ball unit relative to the socket unit. A nut, on the ball unit renders the ball unit captive in the socket unit.