GB2417756A

GB2417756A - Quick fit ball joint

Info

Publication number: GB2417756A
Application number: GB0417703A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Foster; Adam Richards
Original assignee: Hi Lex Cable System Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hi Lex Cable System Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-08-10
Filing date: 2004-08-10
Publication date: 2006-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2024-08-10
Also published as: GB0417703D0; GB2417756B

Abstract

A ball joint fitting device comprises; a main body defining a ball-receiving space. A button clip 4 is slidably mounted at a first end of the main body, and comprises a pushbutton member and gripping means 14 extending from the pushbutton member into the ball-receiving space. The gripping means is arranged and configured in a neutral position relative to the ball-receiving space to retain a ball joint 8. A spring 6 means biases the gripping means in the neutral position and an access opening is provided in the main body at the end of the body opposite the first end, wherein a compressive force applied to the pushbutton member causes movement of the gripping means 14 from the neutral position to a second position relative to the ball-receiving space, such that the gripping means is enabled to receive or release a ball joint.

Description

24 1 7756 Ball Joint Fitting Arrangement The present invention relates to

a ball and socket type fitting arrangement, commonly known as an eye-end arrangement.

A common problem, especially in the field of motor manufacturing, is the interconnection of two separate component parts. Requirements for such an arrangement are that it will not easily become dislodged in use, and must be simple enough such that it can be easily assembled in a factory. Cost is a key factor with all components, and in particular those destined for vehicle o manufacture, therefore improvements in manufacture and assembly efficiency are critical.

A most simple latching arrangement is use of a sphere, which slots into a dome shaped receiving head, wherein the sides of the head are deformed as the sphere is forced into the shaped head. Once the sphere is forced in past a certain degree, then the head returns back to it's original configuration, and the sphere is rotatably locked within the head. However, this arrangement does not allow the sphere to be easily released from the head which may be necessary, for example, during servicing.

WO00/65245 discloses an arrangement whereby a ball joint releasably engages within the receiving element of a head, and includes the provision of a latch which releases a connection betwocn the receiving element and the head should the ball need be released. A user places a compressive force on two sides of a releasing means, allowing the expansion of the receiving element such that the ball joint can be removed from the head.

The present invention provides an improved arrangement.

According to the present invention, there is a ball joint fitting device, comprising a main body defining a ball-receiving space, a button clip slidably mounted at a first end of said main body and comprising a pushbutton member and gripping means extending from said pushbutton member into said ball-receiving space, said gripping means being arranged and configured, in a neutral position relative to said ball-receiving space, to retain a ball joint, the device further comprising spring means for biasing said gripping means in said neutral position relative to said main body, an access opening being provided in said main body at the end of said main body opposite said first end, wherein a compressive force applied to said pushbutton member causes movement of said gripping means from said neutral position to a second position relative to said ballreceiving space, such that said gripping means is enabled to s receive or release a ball joint.

Preferably, the gripping means may also be displaced relative to the ball receiving space from a neutral position to a third position, in a direction opposite to that of said second position, such that said gripping means is enabled to receive or release a ball joint.

Beneficially, the gripping means comprises a at least one resiliently flexible finger, and even more beneficially comprises a plurality of resiliently flexible fingers.

Preferably, an inner wall of said main body defining said ball-receiving space has a protruding portion with which said at least one resiliently flexible finger is substantially in contact in said neutral position such that said at least one resiliently flexible finger is prevented from flexing outwardly in the direction of said inner wall, said inner wall of said main body defining said ball-receiving space further comprising an increased-radius portion between said protruding portion and said access opening which defines a space between said inner wall of said main JO body and said at least one resiliently flexible finger when said gripping means is in said second position, such that in said second position, the resiliently flexible finger can flex outwardly toward said inner wall to enable said resiliently flexible finger to receive or release a ball joint.

Preferably, an inner wall ofthe main body further comprises a second increased-radius portion as between said protruding portion and said first end of said main body which defines a space between said inner wall of said main body and said at least one resiliently flexible finger when said gripping means is in a third position relative to said ball- receiving space, such that in said third position said at least one resiliently flexible finger can flex outwardly toward said inner wall of said main body to enable said gripping means to receive a ball joint therein.

Preferably, the gripping means is moved relative to said ball-receiving space from said neutral position to said second position by means of a compressive force applied to said spring means via said pushbutton member causing said gripping means to move toward said access opening.

s Beneficially, the gripping means is moved relative to the ballreceiving space from the neutral position to the third position by means of a compressive force applied to the spring means via the gripping means causing the gripping means to move toward the first end of the main body.

The gripping means comprises means for retaining said main body and said button clip l o mounted together. The main body preferably comprises a cylindrical portion at said first end within which said pushbutton member is slidably mounted such that a portion thereof extends beyond an open end thereof, said open end of said cylindrical portion being provided with a circumferential flange which extends diametrically inwardly such that the inner edge thereof is substantially in contact with the pushbutton member, a retaining lug being provided at a portion of said button clip which is mounted within said main body, in use, wherein said retaining lug and said flange cooperate to retain said main body and said button clip mounted together.

The spring means is provided between said retaining lug and said flange, such that said retaining lug cooperates with said spring means and said spring means cooperates with said flange to retain said main body and said button clip mounted together.

There is further provided a method of interconnecting two parts, the method comprising the steps of providing a main body defining a ballreceiving space, a button clip slidably mounted at a first end of said main body and comprising a pushbutton member and gripping means extending from said pushbutton member into said ball-receiving space, said gripping means being arranged and configured, in a neutral position relative to said ball-receiving space, to retain a ball joint, the device further comprising spring means for biasing said gripping means in said neutral position relative to said main body, an access opening being provided in said main body at the end of said main body opposite said first end, wherein a compressive force applied to said pushbutton member causes movement of said gripping means from said neutral position to a second position relative to said ball-receiving space, such that said gripping means is enabled to receive or release a ball joint.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from, and elucidated with s reference to, the embodiments described herein.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described by example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: lo Figure I is an isometric view of a ball joint fitting device according to an exemplary embodiment of the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 1 taken through section of Figure 2, when the device is in a neutral or locked position.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 4 taken through sections A and B of Figure 5 when the device is in the neutral or locked position.

1 igure 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 4 taken through sections A and B of Figure 5 when the device is in the compressed or first release position.

Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 4 taken through sections A and B of Figure 5 when the device is in the extended or second release position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a ball joint fitting device according to a first exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, comprising the main body -s - 2, button clip 4, a spring 6 and a ball joint 8. The main body is generally cylindrical, so as to define a ball-receiving space, and formed of a moulded plastic material. The main body 2 is further provided with an integral, moulded plastic sleeve 10 which enables the main body 2 to be fixedly attached to another component, dependent on the intended use ofthe device. The button clip 4 is slidably mounted at one end of the main body 2, and a ball joint 8 slots into a volume defined by the opposing end of the main body 2, to be gripped by resiliently flexible fingers (not shown).

Referring to figure 3 in particular, the ball joint fitting device is illustrated in the neutral or l o locked configuration, wherein the ball joint 8 is locked within the main body of the head 2.

The button clip 4 comprises components, all formed from the same piece of moulded plastic, of a clip finger button 12 and resiliently flexible fingers 14 which act as a gripping means, for removably retaining the ball joint 8. In a preferred embodiment there are four resiliently flexible fingers 14. In a preferred embodiment there are four resiliently flexible fingers 14.

The button clip 4 is prevented from being removable from the main body 2 with the use of a retaining lug 18 laterally extending from the outer surface ofthe resiliently flexible fingers 14.

The retaining lug 18 cooperates with circumferential flange 24 which extends diametrically inwardly from the cylindrical first end of the main body to retain the main body 2 and button clip 4 together. The spring 6 is enclosed between the inner surface of the finger button 12 and the inner structure of the body, and creates a repulsive force on the inner surface of the finger button 12. The resiliently flexible finger 14 of the button clip 4 is in communication with the ball retaining taper 20 of the body of the head 2, and the ball joint 8 is gripped by the resiliently flexible finger 14. The ball retaining taper 20 is a protruding portion of the inner surface of the main body 2, such that the inner radius of the main body 2 is reduced. The gripping portion 16, in this configuration effectively reduces the diameter ofthe ball-receiving space to less than that of the ball, therefore retaining the ball. This ensures the ball remains gripped unless the clip finger button is depressed against the spring, resulting in the gripping portion 16 of the resiliently flexible finger 14 passing the ball retaining taper 20, and being free to elastically deform radially outwards, should a force be applied on the tips of the resiliently flexible fingers 14 by the ball joint 8 being removed. A taper clearing window 22 is provided on the outer surface flexible finger 14 such that a space is provided into which the ball retaining taper 20 will fit in the release position.

Referring to Figures 4, 5 and 6a and b, a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is presented as an isometric view, a plan view, and a schematic sectional view ofthe sections as shown in Figure 6a and b in the locked position.

In the neutral or locked position, the ball is grasped within the main body of the head in the same manner as that of the first exemplary embodiment, and like features are denoted by the same reference numbers. However, in this exemplary embodiment the clip finger button does not necessarily protrude from the main body as it is not a requirement that the clip finger button is depressed when the ball is inserted into the main body. As previously described, the lo resiliently flexible finger 14 of the button clip 4 is in communication with the ball retaining taper 20 of the body of the head 2, and the ball joint 8 is gripped by the gripping portion 16 of the resiliently flexible finger 14. A significant difference is that the button clip 4 is not prevented from being movable in a direction to exit the main body. The arrangement is such that a circumferential flange 24, being a protrusion on the inner diameter of the main body, prevents the spring 6 from leaving the main body and retains the main body 2 and button clip 4 mounted together. A bottom spring platform 26 provides a platform for the base of the spring, and also provides a shaped receiving section for the tip of the ball joint 8. A bottom out lug 28 is also provided such that the clip finger button 12 cannot be compressed passed the point at which the bottom out lug 28 comes into contact with the bottom spring platform 26, which also ensures that the taper clearing window 22 and the ball retaining taper 20 are exactly aligned when the clip finger button 12 is depressed. This feature is applicable to both embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 7a and b shows the arrangement in a first release position, similar to that described in the first exemplary embodiment wherein the clip finger button is depressed into the main body 2 enabling the ball joint 8 to be removed. As previously described, the gripping portion 16 of the resiliently flexible fingers 14 are free to deflect elastically outwards due the presence of the taper clearing window 22 coming into line with the ball retaining taper 20. The spring 6 is compressed between the bottom spring platform 26 and the circumferential flange 24 ofthe main body 2.

Figure 8a and b show the alternative method of mounting the ball into the socket without the requirement of depressing the button clip 4. The ball is offered to the ball joint fitting arrangement and pushed into the socket. The ball forces against the resiliently flexible finger 14, which in turn transmits a force through the button clip 4 and onto the spring 6. The spring 6 is then compressed between the bottom spring platform 26 and the circumferential flange 24. As the button clip 4 rides up in the body of the ball, and the clip finger button 12 protrudes from the top of the main body 4, the gripping portion 16 of the resiliently flexible fingers 14 clear the ball retaining taper 20 providing an increased radius portion between the main body and the resiliently flexible finger 14 into which the resiliently flexible fingers 14 may lo elastically deform. The ball joint 8 is then accepted into the into the main body 4, and the resiliently flexible fingers 14 are then forced back due the action of the spring into the locked position.

It will be appreciated that the major advantage of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is that the ball may be forced into the socket without the requirement that the clip finger button 12 is depressed. This removes the repetitive stress on the thumb of an operator repeatedly forcing a button against a spring, whilst maintaining a removal mechanism should the ball wished to be removed from the socket.

Embodiments of a ball joint fitting device according to the present invention have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made in respect of the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. A ball joint fitting device, comprising a main body defining a

ball- receiving space, a button clip slidably mounted at a first end of said main body and comprising a s pushbutton member and gripping means extending from said pushbutton member into said ball-receiving space, said gripping means being arranged and configured, in a neutral position relative to said ball-receiving space, to retain a ball joint, the device further comprising spring means for biasing said gripping means in said neutral position relative to said main body, an access opening being provided in said main lo body at the end of said main body opposite said first end, wherein a compressive force applied to said pushbutton member causes movement of said gripping means from said neutral position to a second position relative to said ball-receiving space, such that said gripping means is enabled to receive or release a ball joint.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said gripping means is displaced relative to said ball receiving space from a neutral position to a third position, in a direction opposite to that of said second position, such that said gripping means is enabled to receive or release a ball joint.

so
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said gripping means comprises at least one resiliently flexible finger.
4. A device according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein said gripping means comprises a plurality of resiliently flexible fingers. 2s
5. A device according to claims 1 and 3 wherein an inner wall of said main body defining said ball-receiving space has a protruding portion with which said at least one resiliently flexible finger is substantially in contact in said neutral position such that said at least one resiliently flexible finger is prevented from flexing outwardly in the direction of said inner wall, said inner wall of said main body defining said ball-receiving space further comprising an increased-radius portion between said protruding portion and said access opening which defines a space between said inner wall of said main body and said at least one resiliently flexible finger when said gripping means is in said second position, such that in said second position, the resiliently flexible finger can flex outwardly toward said inner wall to enable said resiliently flexible finger to receive or release a ball joint.
6. A device according to claims 2 and 3 wherein an inner wall of said main body further comprises a second increased-radius portion between said protruding portion and said first end of said main body which defines a space between said inner wall of said main body and said at least one resiliently flexible finger when said gripping means lo is in a third position relative to said ball-receiving space, such that in said third position said at least one resiliently flexible finger can flex outwardly toward said inner wall of said main body to enable said gripping means to receive a ball joint therein.
7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said gripping means is moved relative to said ball-receiving space from said neutral position to said second position by means of a compressive force applied to said spring means via said pushbutton member causing said gripping means to move toward said access opening.
8. A device according to claim 2, wherein said gripping means is moved relative to said ball-receiving space from said neutral position to said third position by means of a compressive force applied to said spring means via said gripping means causing said gripping means to move toward said first end of said main body.
9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said gripping means comprises means for retaining said main body and said button clip mounted together.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein said main body comprises a cylindrical portion at said first end within which said pushbutton member is slidably mounted such that a portion thereof extends beyond an open end thereof, said open end of said cylindrical portion being provided with a circumferential flange which extends diametrically inwardly such that the inner edge thereof is substantially in contact with the pushbutton member, a retaining lug being provided at a portion of said button clip which is mounted within said main body, in use, wherein said retaining lug and said Lange cooperate to retain said main body and said button clip mounted together.

1 l. A device according to claim l O. wherein said spring means is provided between said retaining lug and said flange, such that said retaining lug cooperates with said spring means and said spring means cooperates with said flange to retain said main body and said button clip mounted together.

] o 12. A method of interconnecting two parts, the method comprising the steps of providing a main body defining a ball-receiving space, a button clip slidably mounted at a first end of said main body and comprising a pushbutton member and gripping means extending from said pushbutton member into said ball-receiving space, said gripping means being arranged and configured, in a neutral position relative to said ball receiving space, to retain a ball joint, the device further comprising spring means for biasing said gripping means in said neutral position relative to said main body, an access opening being provided in said main body at the end of said main body opposite said first end, wherein a compressive force applied to said pushbutton member causes movement of said gripping means from said neutral position to a second position relative to said ballreceiving space, such that said gripping means is enabled to receive or release a ball joint.