Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A joint has a cylindrical socket which is opened at at least one end thereof, an inner joint portion having a ball-shaped portion and at least one shaft portion integral with the ball-shaped portion, a bearing portion fitted in the socket portion and having a recess which has a configuration complementary to the outer configuration of the inner joint portion, the recess rockably and slidably supports the ball portion of the inner joint portion, the bearing portion being supported at an and of the socket opposite to the open end of the socket by a flange portion which projects radially inward from the end of the socket opposite to the open end, a support member disposed within the opening of the open end of the socket at the on end side and capable of cooperating with the flange portion in supporting the bearing portion in the axial direction, and a boot portion disposed between the shaft portion of the inner joint portion and the socket so as to prevent foreign matter from coming into a gap between the sliding contact surfaces of the bearing portion and the ball-shaped portion. The support member includes a plug which is constituted by a tabular portion disposed within the opening of the socket and held in contact with an adjacent end surface of the bearing portion and a cylindrical portion which expands radially and axially outward from an outer periphery of the tubular portion, a wall of the socket defining the opening having a step such that radius of the opening is decreased at a side closer to an open end thereof, the plug engaging at the expanded end of the cylindrical portion thereof with the step in the opening of the socket so as to support the bearing, thereby enabling to securely hold the bearing portion in the socket.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim