Adjustable linking arm assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016003290-A1
Application number	US-201414767613-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 8, 2014
Priority date	Feb 20, 2013
Publication date	Jan 7, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A linking arm assembly which is readily adaptable to assume a wide range of operative lengths and configurations using a small number of common components. Linking arm assemblies consistent with the present disclosure may be adjusted for use in very different applications while using common components. Accordingly, substantial efficiencies may be achieved while performance is maintained.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A variable length linking arm assembly adapted to receive and retain a ball stud, the assembly comprising:
an elongated rod structure; and at least a first socket head including a socket cavity adapted to engage the ball stud, said first socket head being operatively connected to the rod structure, and wherein the operative length of the linking arm assembly between the socket cavity and an end of the rod structure remote from the first socket head is variable over a range of lengths by adjustment of the relative position of the rod structure and the first socket head.

2 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the socket head includes an elongated sleeve segment extending away from a socket cradle, and wherein the rod structure comprises a threaded end segment adapted to matedly engage the interior of the sleeve segment.

3 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the rod structure comprises a plurality of overlapping elongate body structures of polygonal cross section, the elongate body structures including contoured faces having outwardly projecting teeth, the contoured faces being disposed in face-to-face meshed relation.

4 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 3 , wherein the elongate body structures are secured in face-to-face relation by snap fasteners including distal hooking elements adapted to snap behind ledges at lateral sides of the body structures.

5 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first socket head is operatively connected to the rod structure by a spring-biasing bracket disposed circumferentially about a portion of the rod structure such that the bracket applies a compressing force to the rod structure.

6 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the socket head includes an elongated sleeve segment extending away from a socket cradle, and wherein the rod structure comprises a flattened end segment adapted for press-fit insertion into an interior channel of stepped construction within the sleeve segment, the interior channel including a primary slotted channel segment adapted to receive the flattened end segment and extending to a first depth within the sleeve segment and a secondary slotted channel segment adapted to receive the flattened end segment and extending to a second depth within the sleeve segment, the second depth being less than the first depth, the secondary slotted channel being oriented transverse to the primary slotted channel.

7 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 6 , wherein the flattened end segment includes a plurality of spaced-apart ribs disposed circumferentially at least partially about the flattened end segment at positions along the length of the flattened end segment.

8 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the socket head includes an elongated deformable ridge surface nipple extending away from a socket cradle, and wherein the rod structure is adapted to matedly receive the ridge surface nipple in substantially coaxial relation at an end of the rod structure such that the ridge surface nipple is lockingly compressed in deformed relation within the rod structure.

9 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 1 , wherein the socket head includes an elongated sleeve segment extending away from a socket cradle, and wherein the rod structure is substantially polygonal along its length, the rod structure comprising a plurality of spaced-apart ribs disposed circumferentially at least partially about the flattened end segment at positions along the length of the rod structure.

10 . A variable length linking arm assembly adapted to receive and retain a ball stud, the assembly comprising:
an elongated rod structure; a first socket head including a first socket cavity adapted to engage the ball stud, said first socket head being operatively connected to the rod structure; and at least a second socket head including a second socket cavity, said second socket head being operatively connected to the rod structure at a position remote from the first socket head, and wherein the operative length of the linking arm assembly between the first socket cavity and the second socket cavity is variable over a range of lengths by adjustment of the relative position of the rod structure and the socket heads.

11 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the first socket head and the second socket head each include an elongated sleeve segment extending away from a socket cradle, and wherein the rod structure comprises threaded end segments adapted to matedly engage the interiors of the sleeve segments.

12 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the rod structure comprises a plurality of overlapping elongate body structures of polygonal cross section, the elongate body structures including contoured faces having outwardly projecting teeth, the contoured faces being disposed in face-to-face meshed relation.

13 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 12 , wherein the elongate body structures are secured in face-to-face relation by snap fasteners including distal hooking elements adapted to snap behind ledges at lateral sides of the body structures.

14 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein at the first socket head and the second socket head are each operatively connected to the rod structure by spring-biasing brackets disposed circumferentially about a portion of the rod structure such that the brackets apply compressing force to the rod structure.

15 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the first socket head and the second socket head each includes an elongated sleeve segment extending away from a socket cradle, and wherein the rod structure comprises flattened end segments adapted for press-fit insertion into interior channels of stepped construction within the sleeve segments, the interior channels each including a primary slotted channel segment adapted to receive a flattened end segment of the rod structure and extending to a first depth within the sleeve segment and a secondary slotted channel segment adapted to receive a flattened end segment of the rod structure and extending to a second depth within the sleeve segment, the second depth being less than the first depth, the secondary slotted channel being oriented transverse to the primary slotted channel.

16 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 15 , wherein the flattened end segments each include a plurality of spaced-apart ribs disposed circumferentially at least partially about the flattened end segment at positions along the length of the flattened end segment.

17 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein each of the socket heads includes an elongated, deformable ridge surface nipple extending away from a socket cradle, and wherein the rod structure is adapted to matedly receive the ridge surface nipples in substantially coaxial relation at opposing ends of the rod structure such that the ridge surface nipples are lockingly compressed in deformed relation within the rod structure.

18 . The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein each of the socket heads includes an elongated sleeve segment extending away from a socket cradle, and wherein

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Trotter Jason K
• Dutzi Robert K
• Mark Dennis M
• Donovan Paul F
• Domagalla Jacob J
• Szymanski Kevin J

Classifications

• F16C11/0623

  Construction or details of the socket member · CPC title

• F16C7/06 Primary

  Adjustable connecting-rods · CPC title

• B60G2206/111

  of adjustable length · CPC title

• F16B7/105

  locking in discrete positions, e.g. in extreme extended position · CPC title

• F16C11/0657

  the socket member being mainly made of plastics · CPC title