Method and apparatus for clearance adjusting cover plate closure

Abstract

A ball and socket housing incorporating a thick housing wall of deformable material adjacent a central bore opening to provide a closure system utilizing a deformable cover-plate. The deformable cover-plate is formed to a desired configuration within the central bore to achieve a consistent internal socket preload. The cover-plate is deformed into the housing opening beyond an elastic limit to control resiliency or spring-back characteristics, thereby achieving a high-degree of repeatability and precise control of the ball and socket preload during the assembly process. The deformed cover-plate is retained in the socket housing at the cover-plate seat by swaged or rolling the perimeter of the housing to capture the perimeter of the deformed cover plate within the housing central bore opening.

1 . A socket comprising:
 a housing having a central bore, the central bore including at least one open end having a counterbore defining a circumferential seat adjacent said open end;   a stud disposed in said central bore;   a deformable cover-plate disposed in said central bore seated on said circumferential seat, said cover-plate having an outer diameter sized to seat within said counterbore on said circumferential seat;   a circumferential sidewall of said housing adjacent to said counterbore deformed in a radially inward direction, capturing a peripheral edge of said cover-plate, wherein said stud and joint components are retained within said central bore by said captured and deformed cover-plate.   
   
   
       2 . The socket of  claim 1  wherein said circumferential side wall is further defined as being bent around said cover plate. 
   
   
       3 . The socket of  claim 2  wherein said circumferential side wall defines a radially outwardly facing chamfer adjacent said cover plate. 
   
   
       4 . The socket of  claim 2  wherein said circumferential side wall defines a rounded corner adjacent said cover plate.