Importance

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Abstract

A bearing seat slidably supports a ball head of a ball stud in a housing. Circumferentially spaced-apart load bearing ribs on the outer surface of the bearing seat facing the housing support the load placed on the joint. Auxiliary load bearing ribs, between adjacent ones of the load bearing ribs, extend from the surface of the ball joint seat slightly less farther than the load bearing ribs. The auxiliary load bearing ribs come into supportive contact with the housing when subjected to heavier loads, to prevent excessive stress flexure of the bearing seat. The ability of the ball joint to absorb repeated heavy load applications while maintaining friction compensation and a stable torque without stress cracking is improved. The ball joint has an improved ability to compensate for dimensional tolerances, which facilitates component manufacture. The load withstanding ability and the durability of the ball joint are thus improved without an increase in size or cost.

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First Claim