GB2351531A

GB2351531A - Ball socket assembly having an apertured ball retaining ring

Info

Publication number: GB2351531A
Application number: GB9914878A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart Terry Jones
Original assignee: Adwest Bowden TSK Ltd
Current assignee: Adwest Bowden TSK Ltd
Priority date: 1999-06-26
Filing date: 1999-06-26
Publication date: 2001-01-03
Also published as: WO2001001002A1; GB9914878D0; AR024460A1

Abstract

A ball socket assembly for attachment to the end of a rod (1), for example a Bowden control cable, includes a socket member (3), having a hemi-spherical recess (11) for receiving a ball (12), which is surrounded by a groove (4). An elastomeric ring (5) engages in the groove and has inwardly projecting wings defining an aperture through which the ball passes before locating in the recess. The ring may be secured in the groove by way of a press-fit which may be further be supplemented by the use of adhesive. Preferably, the wings are directed towards the centre of the ball when located in the recess.

Description

2351531 BALL SOCKET ASSEMBLY This invention relates to a ball socket

assembly fitting an end of an elongate member such as an end rod of a Bowden control cable.

Such an assembly is required when for example a cable control has to be connected to a lever mechanism in such a way that there is a need for the multi-axial freedom of movement which can be afforded by a spherical attachment.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide such an assembly which is of simple and secure construction and is economical to manufacture.

According to the present invention, there is provided a ball socket assembly which comprises having a hemi-spherical recess which is formed of plastics material moulded onto an end or a rod member whose surface is figured to provide one or more keys securing the moulded eye/recessed member to such rod end, said recessed member having a groove surrounding its recess and into which is secured an elastomeric ring member which has inwardly projecting wings for engaging a ball socket member which is housed in the recess after having been passed through an aperture defined by said wings. Such an assembly can be of extremely simple construction and it can be manufactured easily and economically.

The ball socket member and the elastomeric ring member may be secured within the groove of the recessed member by press fit such as to provide a keying action resisting disassembly. It will be appreciated that an adhesive may be used in addition to such a keying action.

2 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation of the socket face of a ball socket assembly according to the invention, and Figures 2a and 2b are respectively a sectional view and a plan view of the recessed member of the assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 3a is a sectional view of a ring member while Figure 3b is a plan view of the ring member.

In the drawings, a rod 1, for example an end rod of a Bowden cable control mechanism, has an end portion which is provided with figuring 2 to afford a keying action to secure a member 3 which is moulded onto it. A groove 4 of the member 3 serves to retain an elastomeric ring 5 which in turn surrounds a ball member 6. In Figure 2 of the drawings it will be seen that the groove 4 and the elastomeric ring 5 are provided with cooperating shoulders 7 and 8 is to provide a keying action resisting disassembly. Such a keying action may be supplemented by an adhesive if desired.

The member 3 defines a hemispherical recess 11 for receiving the ball 12. However the ball 12 can only be seated in the recess 11 after it has passed through an aperture 13 defined by inwardly projecting wings 15 formed integrally of the elastomeric ring 5, When the ball 12 is seated in the recess 11 the wings are so shaped as to be directed substantially towards the centre of the ball 12. The arrangement is such that the force required to move the ball through the wing aperture 13 is much greater in the unseating direction that is when the ball is moved towards its condition seated in the recess.

The eye member and the ball socket members may be of the same or different materials such as nylon or any other suitable engineering resin, and the elastomeric ring may be of natural or synthetic rubber.

13

Claims

1. A ball socket assembly including a ball socket member adapted for connection to the end of a rod member and having a hemi-spherical recess formed therein, said member having a groove surrounding the recess for the securement of an elastomeric ring member provided with inwardly projecting wings defining an aperture for the passage therethrough of a ball of the assembly, the ball engaging the recess following passage through said aperture.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1 in which the ball socket member is formed of plastics material moulded onto the said end of the rod member, said end being figured to provide a key securing the members together.

3. An assembly according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the elastomeric ring member is secured within the groove of the recessed member by press fit such as to provide a keying action resisting disassembly.

4. An assembly according to Claim 3 in which the groove and the ring member are provided with interengaging shoulders to provide said keying action.

5. An assembly according to Claim 4 in which the keying action is supplemented by the use of adhesive.

6. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which in use when the ball is seated in the recess the wings are directed substantially towards the centre of the ball.

/-C

7. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which elastomeric ring member is made of natural or synthetic rubber.

8. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims in which the wings of the elastomeric ring are formed integrally therewith.