Adjustable linking arm assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9732786-B2
Application number	US-201414767613-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 8, 2014
Priority date	Feb 20, 2013
Publication date	Aug 15, 2017
Grant date	Aug 15, 2017

Abstract

A linking arm assembly adapted to receive and retain a ball stud. The assembly includes an elongated rod structure and a socket head and is variable over a range of lengths by adjustment of the relative position of the elongated rod structure and the socket head. Linking arm assemblies consistent with the present disclosure may be adjusted for use in different applications while using common components.

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 an 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 wherein the first socket head is a molded unitary structure formed from a polymer and wherein the rod structure comprises a threaded end segment incorporating anti-rotation threads adapted to matedly engage a portion of the first socket head and cause creep of the polymer as the threads are rotated during assembly.

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

3. 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 an 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 relative to each of the socket heads, 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, the threaded end segments each incorporating anti-rotation threads adapted to cause creep of a polymer forming the sleeve segments as the threads are rotated during assembly.

4. A variable length linking arm assembly adapted to receive and retain a ball stud, the assembly comprising: an elongated rod structure comprising a first end segment and a second end segment, the end segments each having a plurality of spaced-apart surface ribs; a first socket head of unitary molded construction including a first socket cavity within a first socket cradle adapted to engage a first ball stud, the first socket head including a first sleeve segment extending away from the first socket cradle, the first end segment of the rod structure adapted to matedly engage an interior channel within the first sleeve segment by press-fit insertion to a variable depth; and at least a second socket head of unitary molded construction including a second socket cavity within a second socket cradle adapted to engage a second ball stud, the second socket head including a second sleeve segment extending away from the socket cradle, the second end segment of the rod structure adapted to matedly engage an interior channel within the second sleeve segment by press-fit insertion to a variable depth said second socket head being operatively connected to the rod structure at a position remote from the first socket head, and wherein an 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.

5. The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 4 , wherein at least the first sleeve segment includes an acceptance opening with a perimeter profile of scalloped indentures and protrusions adapted to lockingly receive the first end segment of the rod structure.

6. The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 4 , wherein at least the first end segment of the rod structure is a flattened end segment and the interior channel within at least the first sleeve segment includes a primary slotted channel segment adapted to receive the flattened end segment and extending to a first depth within the first sleeve segment and a secondary slotted channel segment adapted to receive the flattened end segment and extending to a second depth within the first 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 4 , 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 a flattened end segment at positions along the length of the rod structure.

9. The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 4 , wherein the first end segment and the second end segment each are 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.

10. The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 9 , wherein the flattened end segments each include a plurality of spaced-apart ribs disposed circumferentially at least partially about the flattened end segments at positions along the length of the flattened end segments.

11. The variable length linking arm assembly as recited in claim 10 , wherein the rod structure is substantially polygonal along its length.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

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

Classifications

• B60G2206/1112

  Manually, for alignment purposes · CPC title

• F16C11/0657

  the socket member being mainly made of plastics · CPC title

• F16C2326/05

  Vehicle suspensions, e.g. bearings, pivots or connecting rods used therein · CPC title

• F16C2300/02

  General use or purpose, i.e. no use, purpose, special adaptation or modification indicated or a wide variety of uses mentioned · CPC title

• B60G2206/111

  of adjustable length · CPC title