Premium performance ball joint and system

Abstract

Ball joints, systems in which they are used, and suspension systems in which the ball joint systems are employed. The ball joints, systems and suspension mechanisms are especially useful for racing vehicles in which premium performance is desired. As an additional feature, the products of this invention are especially appreciated because of the ability to quickly and easily replace or change them.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
 a wishbone arm having a threaded socket portion; and   a ball joint assembly threaded to the threaded socket portion of the wishbone arm, said ball joint assembly is operable to be serviced by having one or more components replaced, the ball joint assembly including:
 a housing having a socket at one end, internal threads positioned apart, from the socket, and external threads that mate with the threaded socket portion of said wishbone arm, 
 a ball stud having a threaded portion for engaging a drive member, a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing, and a flat surface, 
 a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly. 
   
     
     
         2 . The suspension system as clamed in  claim 1 , further comprising a locking member for securing the retainer to the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a member to aid in turning the retainer in and out of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The suspension system as clamed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second wishbone arm and a second ball joint assembly threaded to the wishbone arm. 
     
     
         5 . The suspension system as clamed in  claim 1 , further comprising a shock. 
     
     
         6 . The suspension system as clamed in  claim 1 , wherein said ball stud can be easily removed from said housing, and a replacement ball stud can be inserted into said housing. 
     
     
         7 . The suspension system as clamed in  claim 1 , wherein said housing can be secured to said wishbone arm while a new replacement ball stud can be inserted into the housing once the ball stud has been removed. 
     
     
         8 . A suspension system for a vehicle comprising:
 a wishbone arm having a portion for releasably securing a ball joint assembly to the wishbone arm;   and a ball joint assembly releasably secured to the wishbone arm, the ball joint assembly including:
 a housing having an internal cavity with a socket, internal threads positioned apart from the socket, and a portion for being releasably secured to the wishbone arm; 
 a ball stud having a ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing; 
 a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly. 
   
     
     
         9 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said ball joint assembly can be quickly removed from said suspension system and another ball joint system can be installed. 
     
     
         10 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein while the housing stays secured to said wishbone arm, the ball stud can be removed from said housing and a replacement ball stud can be installed in the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The suspension system as claimed in  claim 8 , further comprising a member for securing said retainer to said housing. 
     
     
         12 . A ball joint system for a vehicle comprising:
 a receiving ring having a threaded portion; and   a ball joint secured to the receiving ring, the ball joint including:
 a housing having an internal cavity with a chamber, internal threads for receiving a retainer, and a threaded portion for being releasably secured to the threaded portion of the receiving ring; 
 a stud having a ball portion for mating with said cavity of said housing; 
 a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void within said ball joint assembly. 
   
     
     
         13 . The ball joint system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said receiving ring is a part of a vehicle suspension member. 
     
     
         14 . The ball joint system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said retainer cars foe unthreaded from said housing allowing said stud to be removed from said housing, and a replacement stud can be inserted inside said housing and the retainer secured to said housing. 
     
     
         15 . The ball joint system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said stud has an elongated shaft that extends through said housing and a threaded portion for being secured to a vehicle component. 
     
     
         16 . A ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
 a housing having an internal cavity with a socket, and internal threads positioned apart from the socket;   a first ball stud having a first length and ball portion for mating with said socket of said housing;   a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing, said retainer further having a grease port for delivering grease to a void located between said ball stud and a wall of said retainer;   a locking member for securing said retainer to said housing; and   a second ball stud having a second length, said second ball stud can be installed to replace said first ball stud.   
     
     
         17 . The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the housing can be threaded to a suspension arm of a vehicle. 
     
     
         18 . The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising a lubricant. 
     
     
         19 . The ball joint assembly for use in a suspension system for a vehicle as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said first length and said second length of said ball studs are different. 
     
     
         20 . A universal ball joint system for a vehicle comprising:
 a ball joint stud having a ball portion, an elongated shaft, and a threaded portion;   a first housing having a cavity and internal threads for receiving a retainer; and   a retainer having a threaded portion for mating with the internal threads of said housing,   wherein said universal ball joint system can be modified so as to replace the first housing with a second housing, second housing has different external configurations than said first housing, said ball joint stud and said retainer can be used with said second housing.   
     
     
         21 . metal ball joint comprising in combination:
 an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end, said elongated shaft being threaded on the lower end;   a ball located on the upper end of the elongated shaft, said ball having a continuous curved surface and further having a truncated flat surface;   a housing having an outside surface, a middle portion, an internal thread, and a lower end, said housing further having a curved seat disposed at an end of the housing to seat and engage a first portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formed in the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing;   a retainer having an upper surface, a lower end and a first thread, said retainer having a curved seat disposed at the lower end thereof to engage a second portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the truncated flat, the retainer being capable of maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via pressure of lubricant on the truncated flat of the ball;   a locking member removably maintaining the retainer in engagement with the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed from the housing by removal of the locking member; and a lubricant zerk.   
     
     
         22 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said housing further comprises an attachment feature adapted for selective attachment of said housing to a support arm of a suspension system. 
     
     
         23 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 22 , where said attachment feature further comprises an external thread on the outside surface of the housing, said external thread being capable of attaching the housing to an thread on an support arm of the suspension system. 
     
     
         24 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said attachment feature further comprises a flange extending from a portion of the housing that can be secured to the support arm by at least one detachable fastener. 
     
     
         25 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said attachment feature further comprises a compression fit of the housing into at least one opening in a support arm. 
     
     
         26 . An automotive suspension system wherein there is provided a first ball joint system comprising a first metal ball joint and a second ball joint system comprising a second metal ball joint as claimed in  claim 21 . 
     
     
         27 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the locking member engages an upper surface of the retainer. 
     
     
         28 . The ball, joint as claimed in  claim 21 , further comprising a lubrication void located between the ball and the retainer, the retainer and the housing being capable of maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via pressure of lubricant in the lubrication void on the ball. 
     
     
         29 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the zerk is capable of permitting the admission of a pressurized, lubricant such that the pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure against the retainer and the ball to maintain pressure on the ball to maintain the ball against the seat of the housing. 
     
     
         30 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said locking member and retainer are adapted to be selectively separated from said housing allowing said elongated shaft to be removed from said housing, and a replacement shaft to be inserted inside said housing and the retainer to be again secured to said housing. 
     
     
         31 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the length of said elongated shaft and said replacement shaft are different. 
     
     
         32 . A metal ball joint for use with a pressurized lubricant, the ball, joint comprising in combination:
 an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end, said elongated shaft being threaded on the lower end;   a ball surmounted on the upper end of the elongated shaft, said ball having a curved surface and further having a flat surface on the upper end of the elongated shaft;   a housing having an outside surface, a flange, a middle portion, a lower end, and a first thread, said housing further having a curved seat disposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage the curved surface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formed in the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing;   a retainer having an upper surface and a lower end, said retainer having a seat disposed at the lower end thereof to seat and engage another portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the flat surface thereof and a lubricating port passing through the retainer, the lubricating port having a passageway, said port permitting the admission of a pressurized lubricant such that the pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure against the flat surface of the ball to maintain pressure on the ball to maintain the ball against the seat of the housing, said retainer having a second thread engageable with the first thread of the housing to trap the ball within the housing and the retainer; the retainer being capable of maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via the pressure of the lubricant on the flat surface of the ball; and   a fastener releasably engageable to the housing to selectively secure the retainer to the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed from the housing by removal of the fastener.   
     
     
         33 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein said housing further comprises an attachment feature adapted for selective attachment of said housing to a support arm of a suspension system. 
     
     
         34 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the second thread of the retainer and the first thread of the housing are disposed partially around the ball when the second thread of the retainer is fully engaged with the first thread of the housing. 
     
     
         35 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein said fastener and retainer are adapted to be selectively separated from said housing allowing said elongated shaft to be removed from said housing, and a replacement shaft to be inserted inside said housing and the retainer to be again secured to said housing. 
     
     
         36 . The ball joint claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the elongated shaft can be removed and replaced with another elongated shaft. 
     
     
         37 . A metal ball joint for use as a component of a suspension system, said ball joint comprising:
 a ball stud having an elongated shaft portion with an upper end with a ball, and a threaded portion at a lower end, said ball having a curved surface and a flat;   a housing having an outside surface, an outwardly extending portion extending from the outside surface, a lower end and an internal thread;   a first curved seat disposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage the curved surface of the ball;   an opening formed in the first curved seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing;   an attachment feature that is operable for selective attachment of said housing to a suspension system;   a retainer having an upper surface and a lower end, said retainer having an external thread, the external thread being engageable with the internal thread of the housing to trap the ball within the housing and the retainer, the retainer maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via pressure of a lubricant on the ball;   a second curved seat disposed at the lower end of the retainer to seat and engage a second portion of the curved surface of the ball;   a securing member threaded to the housing, the retainer can be selectively removed from the housing by removal of the securing member,   wherein said securing member and retainer are adapted to be selectively separated from said housing allowing said elongated shaft to be removed from said housing, a replacement shaft to be inserted inside said housing and the retainer to be secured to said housing.   
     
     
         38 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 37 , where said attachment feature comprises an external thread on the outside surface of the housing, said external thread being capable of attaching the housing to a thread on a support arm of a suspension system. 
     
     
         39 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said attachment feature comprises a flange extending from a portion of the housing that can be secured to a support arm by at least one detachable fastener. 
     
     
         40 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said attachment feature comprises a compression fit of the housing into an opening in a suspension member. 
     
     
         41 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 37 , further comprising a lubricating port located in the upper surface of the retainer, the lubricating port providing a passageway for delivering pressurized lubricant, said pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure against the flat to maintain pressure on the ball. 
     
     
         42 . The ball joint as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the length of said shaft and said replacement shaft are different. 
     
     
         43 . A metal ball joint for use with a pressurized lubricant, the ball joint comprising in combination:
 an elongated shaft having an upper end and a lower end, said elongated shaft being threaded on the lower end;   a ball surmounted on the upper end of the elongated shaft, said ball having a curved surface and further having a flat surface on the upper end of the elongated shaft;   a housing having an outside surface, a flange, a middle portion, a lower end, and a first thread, said housing further having a curved seat disposed at the lower end of the housing to seat and engage the curved surface of the ball adjacent the elongated shaft and an opening formed in the seat for passage therethrough of the elongated shaft but not permitting passage therethrough of the ball such as to permit pivotal movement of the elongated shaft relative to the housing;   a retainer having an upper surface and a lower end, said retainer having a seat disposed at the lower end thereof to seat and engage another portion of the curved surface of the ball adjacent the flat surface thereof and a lubricating port passing through the retainer, the lubricating port having a passageway, said port permitting the admission of a pressurized lubricant such that the pressurized lubricant exerts a pressure against the flat surface of the ball to maintain pressure on the ball to maintain the ball against the seat of the housing, said retainer having a second thread engageable with the first thread of the housing to trap the ball within the housing and the retainer; the retainer being capable of maintaining a seal between the ball and the housing via the pressure of the lubricant on the flat surface of the ball; and   a fastener releasably engageable to the housing to selectively secure the retainer to the housing such that the retainer can be selectively removed from the housing by removal of the fastener.