US 12,366,263 B2
Adjustable ball joint for an inner tie rod assembly, adjustable ball joint kit, and method of assembling an adjustable ball joint
James Hebert, Powell, TN (US)
Assigned to Brute Performance, Inc, Powell, TN (US)
Filed by Brute Performance Inc, Powell, TN (US)
Filed on Nov. 15, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/987,500.
Prior Publication US 2024/0159264 A1, May 16, 2024
Int. Cl. F16C 11/06 (2006.01)
CPC F16C 11/0642 (2013.01) [F16C 11/0623 (2013.01); F16C 11/068 (2013.01); Y10T 403/32803 (2015.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An adjustable ball joint apparatus for use in an inner tie rod assembly for a vehicle, the adjustable ball joint apparatus comprising:
a ball joint stud comprising:
a ball joint stud first end;
a ball joint stud second end;
a ball extending from the ball joint stud first end toward the ball joint stud second end, the ball comprising a ball first hemisphere and a ball second hemisphere; and
a rod including a first rod end and a second rod end wherein the rod extends from the ball second hemisphere to the ball joint stud second end, and wherein at least a portion of the rod is threaded along an outer surface of the rod;
a ball joint hollow body configured to receive the ball of the ball joint stud, the ball joint hollow body further comprising:
a ball joint hollow body first end;
a ball joint hollow body second end;
a ball joint hollow body cavity between the ball joint hollow body first end and the ball joint hollow body second end, the ball joint hollow body cavity including a ball joint hollow body cavity internal surface wherein at least a first threaded portion of the ball joint hollow body cavity internal surface is threaded;
a ball joint hollow body first aperture along the ball joint hollow body first end;
a ball joint hollow body second aperture along the ball joint hollow body second end, wherein the ball joint stud ball is sized to fit through the ball joint hollow body first aperture but not the ball joint hollow body second aperture; and
a ball joint hollow body first socket section configured to enclose at least a portion of the ball second hemisphere inside the ball joint hollow body, wherein the ball is physically engaged with the ball joint hollow body;
an end piece comprising:
an end piece first end;
an end piece second end;
an end piece first section extending from the end piece first end to a transition location, wherein at least a second threaded portion of an end piece first section outer surface is threaded;
an end piece second section extending from the transition location to the end piece second end, wherein at least a third threaded portion of an end piece second section outer surface is threaded, and wherein the third threaded portion of the end piece second section outer surface is mated with and is adjustable along the first threaded portion of the cavity internal surface; and
an end piece second socket section extending inward from the end piece second end wherein the end piece second socket section is tightened against and encloses at least a portion of the ball first hemisphere wherein the ball, the ball joint hollow body first socket section, and the end piece second socket section are configured to permit the ball to partially rotate;
a jam nut comprising:
a jam nut first end;
a jam nut second end; and
a jam nut cavity including a jam nut cavity internal surface wherein at least a fourth threaded portion of the jam nut cavity internal surface is threaded, and wherein the fourth threaded portion of the jam nut cavity internal surface is physically engaged with and is adjustable along the third threaded portion of the end piece second section outer surface.