A connecting system for connecting a tensioning member to a free-space shaft may comprise an inner element having an element spherical outer surface truncated at opposite truncated ends and may include an element bore extending through the inner element and coaxial with the element spherical outer surface. The element bore may have a bore axis and a bore cross section sized and configured complementary to a shaft cross section of the free-space shaft. A retaining collar may include a collar spherical inner surface complementary to and configured to receive the element spherical outer surface, and may have opposing collar ends. The collar spherical inner surface may define a collar axis. The retaining collar may allow universal motion of the bore axis relative to the collar axis. The retaining collar may include an arching portion for connecting the tensioning member to the shaft.

Disclosed are the design and utilitarian characteristics of a support device for supporting a cover wherein such cover is typically used to cover a vehicle such as a boat or automobile. The invention includes a dome shaped support device with a depending base configured for extending through a cover. The depending base defines an interface for being associated with a support structure such as a pole and such interface may be a swivel interface. Additionally, the support device may define a suspension interface so that a tether may be used to apply a support force from above the support device. The support device may also define a swivel device configured for being associated with a support surface such as a floor.

A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.

A device adapted to measure the wear of a ball-and-socket joint. The ball-and-socket joint comprising a first ring, which delimits a spherical housing, a second spherical ring, which is positioned concentrically in the housing of the first ring, and a lining, which is made from an elastically insulating material and is inserted between the second ring and the spherical housing of the first ring. A wear measuring feature includes at least two electrodes provided to be connected to the first ring and the second ring, respectively, or to the lining, so as to form a capacitor structure and a capacitance measuring device for measuring the capacity of the capacitor thus formed. The device further comprises an electronic circuit, which is a resonant circuit including the capacitor, an inductance and a resistance positioned in series.

A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.

A stand assembly for holding handheld electronic devices in a multitude of positions or locations having a first section with a curved end magnetically attached to second section having and indented surface. The first section also attaches to a surface, the second section either is contiguous with a portable electronic device, a carrying case, or other item; or has a means to attach to another surface. A high-friction elastomeric material, or similar friction producing material, helps to secure the first and second sections together, or the second section against another flat magnetic surface.

A ball joint for use within a washing machine suspension system may generally comprise a joint body including a lower portion and an upper portion. The lower portion may define an outer surface having a curved profile. In addition, the joint body may define at least one lubrication inlet port extending between the upper and lower portions and at least one lubrication channel extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the lower portion along the outer surface. The lubrication channel(s) may be in fluid communication with the lubrication inlet port(s) such that, when a lubricant is injected into the lubrication inlet port(s) at the upper portion of the joint body, the lubricant flows from the lubrication inlet port(s) into the lubrication channel(s) and then flows circumferentially within the lubrication channel(s) along the outer surface.

The present invention relates to a device for connecting at least one external functional device to an arrangement, wherein the device includes at least one first contact portion and at least one second contact portion for receiving the external functional device between the first contact portion and the second contact portion, and at least the first contact portion or the second contact portion is movable. It further relates to a method for connecting at least one external functional device to an arrangement by using the device of the present invention, as well as an arrangement which includes at least one device of the present invention.

A rack-and-pinion type steering device includes a ball joint for connecting a rack shaft and a tie rod. The ball joint includes a socket and a ball. The socket is provided with a regulated surface allowed to contact a regulating surface of a rack housing, and a screw projecting from the regulated surface to be connected to the rack shaft. The regulated surface includes an intermediate portion having a curved surface shape that recedes from a regulating surface in a longitudinal direction of the rack shaft toward the outer circumference, and the regulated surface has such a shape that a pointed portion toward the regulating surface is less likely to be formed on the regulated surface even if a processing error occurs in the processing for forming the regulated surface of the socket.

The ball joint assembly includes a housing which extends along an axis and a bearing. The bearing has an opening that extends between opposite axial ends and presents a curved bearing surface. A stud with an inner bore is positioned in the bearing and has an outer surface which is in sliding contact with the bearing surface to allow the bearing and housing to rotate relative to the stud. The assembly further includes a fastener which is receivable within the inner bore for connecting the stud with a frame of a vehicle. The fastener includes an internal passage which extends from an end of the fastener to a side surface of the fastener, and the stud has a channel which extends from the inner bore to the outer surface for allowing lubrication of the ball joint assembly while the ball joint assembly is installed in the vehicle suspension system.