US 11,708,852 B2
Ball joint, method of manufacturing a ball joint, and tool for manufacturing a ball joint
Stephanie N. Niesen, St. Louis, MO (US); Rachael Raines, St. Charles, MO (US); Glen C. Parker, St. Peters, MO (US); and Dustin Schrieber, Waterloo, IL (US)
Assigned to FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORSPOTS LLC, Southfield, MI (US)
Filed by FEDERAL-MOGUL MOTORPARTS LLC, Southfield, MI (US)
Filed on Jun. 27, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/359,595.
Prior Publication US 2022/0412400 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. F16C 11/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 11/0666 (2013.01) [F16C 11/068 (2013.01); F16C 11/0685 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A ball joint, comprising: a ball;
a stud extending from the ball;
a bearing at least partially surrounding the ball;
a housing at least partially surrounding the bearing; and
a cover plate at least partially nested into the housing, wherein the cover plate includes:
a nested portion along an outer perimeter having a nested portion thickness,
a domed portion located radially inward of the outer perimeter having a domed portion thickness, and
a pressed portion located between the nested portion and the domed portion having a pressed portion thickness,
wherein the pressed portion thickness is less than the domed portion thickness when the nested portion is nested within a radial groove in an internal bore of the housing.