Fully-Floating Pivot Joint With Press-Fit Bushings
First Claim
1. A pivot joint, comprising:
- an inner link having an opening;
an outer link having two spaced-apart tabs each having an opening;
a pivot pin inserted through the three openings;
an inner bushing disposed between the pivot pin and the inner link; and
two outer bushings press fit on either end of the pivot pin between the pivot pin and the outer link.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pivot joint is disclosed that has an inner link with an opening and an outer link with two spaced-apart tabs that each have openings. The opening of the inner link has an inner bushing press-fit therein. A pivot pin is inserted through the aligned openings of the inner link and the outer link. The pivot pin has two outer bushings press fit on either end. By press fitting the bushings on, the pivot pin is trapped in place. By trapping the pivot pin, it can be a fully-floating pin that yields lower friction and wear and/or supports higher loads. The press fit outer bushings supplant the prior-art practice of placing a circlip at the ends of the outer bushings to keep them from sliding out. The disclosed pivot joint is more compact and lighter weight than the prior art pivot joint that uses clips.
12 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A pivot joint, comprising:
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an inner link having an opening; an outer link having two spaced-apart tabs each having an opening; a pivot pin inserted through the three openings; an inner bushing disposed between the pivot pin and the inner link; and two outer bushings press fit on either end of the pivot pin between the pivot pin and the outer link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A piston to connecting rod joint, comprising:
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a connecting rod having a small end with an opening; a piston having two bosses separated by a slot, each boss having an opening; a wrist pin inserted through the openings in the piston and connecting rod; an inner bushing disposed between the connecting rod and the wrist pin; and an outer bushing press fit on each end of the wrist pin. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A pivot joint, comprising:
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an inner link having an opening; a pivot pin with an outer bushing press fit on one end; an outer link having two spaced-apart tabs each having an opening; an inner bushing placed in the opening of the inner link; and a pivot pin inserted through the two outer link openings and the inner bushing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification