A method of modeling layout of rigid tubing comprises securing a first component of a lockable adjustment assembly to an end A of a first rigid tube via a first releasable coupling assembly. The method also comprises securing a second component of the lockable adjustment assembly to an end C of a second rigid tube via a second releasable coupling assembly. Further, the method comprises moving the first component and the second component, loosely coupled with each other, relative to each other with only three degrees of freedom to position the first rigid tube and the second rigid tube in a selected orientation with respect to each other. The method also comprises, with the first rigid tube and the second rigid tube in the selected orientation relative to each other, locking the lockable adjustment assembly so that the first component and the second component have zero degrees of freedom relative to each other.

The method of providing a latch which is capable of passing a relatively short radius bend in a pipeline and then engaging a fishing neck on a service tool in a pipeline, and after the latch has engaged the service tool having the ability to pass the combination back through the relatively short radius bend in the pipeline.

A method comprises securing a first component of a lockable adjustment assembly to an end A of a first rigid tube via a first releasable coupling assembly. The method also comprises securing a second component of the lockable adjustment assembly to an end C of a second rigid tube via a second releasable coupling assembly. Further, the method comprises moving the first component and the second component, loosely coupled with each other, relative to each other with only three degrees of freedom to position the first rigid tube and the second rigid tube in a selected orientation with respect to each other. The method also comprises, with the first rigid tube and the second rigid tube in the selected orientation relative to each other, locking the lockable adjustment assembly so that the first component and the second component have zero degrees of freedom relative to each other.

A modeling assembly (100) for layout of rigid tubing comprises a first releasable coupling assembly (110) and a second releasable coupling assembly (120). The modeling assembly (100) also comprises a lockable adjustment assembly (130) comprising a first component (140) and a second component (150). The first component (140) is configured to be removably coupled to an end A of a first rigid tube (102) via the first releasable coupling assembly (110). The second component (150) is configured to be removably coupled to an end C of a second rigid tube (104) via the second releasable coupling assembly (120). With the lockable adjustment assembly (130) in the loose coupled state, the first component (140) and the second component (150) have only three degrees of freedom relative to each other. With the lockable adjustment assembly (130) in the locked coupled state, the first component (140) and the second component (150) have zero degrees of freedom relative to each other.

A method is provided for connecting a ball to a first component having the following steps: providing a first component which has a through-hole; providing a ball and inserting the ball into the through-hole such that the ball protrudes out of the first component at opposite sides of the first component; placing a first pressing tool on the ball from a first side of the first component and placing a second pressing tool on the ball from a second side of the first component; plastically deforming the ball by pressing together the pressing tools, wherein material of the ball flows both on the first side as well as on the second side of the first component, such that material of the ball covers an edge of the through-hole on the first side and on the second side of the first component, whereby a formfitting connection is produced between the ball and the first component.

There is provided a ball joint comprising a ball stud including a ball; a bearing configured to enclose and support the ball of the ball stud; a ball joint case configured to accommodate a portion of the ball stud and the bearing, the ball joint case being made of a plastic material; and a ball joint mounting case configured to accommodate the ball joint case and fastened to a suspension arm, wherein the ball joint mounting case is made of a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

The method of providing a latch which is capable of passing a relatively short radius bend in a pipeline and then engaging a fishing neck on a service tool in a pipeline, and after the latch has engaged the service tool having the ability to pass the combination back through the relatively short radius bend in the pipeline.

A latch and catch arrangement is disclosed, whereby a sleeve supporting a flexible hinge with an extended finger is oriented over a fluid connection to a socket guide. An alignment via a latch and catch between the sleeve and tool collar orients a flexible hinge, which may be of reduced thickness, over a bearing in a guide. The finger moves upward when a tool is inserted into a tool socket, and the flexible hinge, properly oriented by the alignment catch/latch, keeps the finger in the tool socket while allowing necessary movement to insert and remove a tool.

This invention relates to a joint housing (10) of a ball joint (12), comprising a sheet-metal part (14) for accommodating a ball head (16), which is substantially rotationally symmetrical with respect to a joint axis (A) and includes a circumferential wall portion (18), wherein the circumferential wall portion (18) includes a housing opening (26) at an axial end (24), through which a joint pin (28) can extend, wherein the sheet-metal part (14) is formed with two layers at this axial end (24) of the circumferential wall portion (18). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for mounting such joint housing (10) on a carrier element (34).

A method is provided for connecting a ball to a first component having the following steps: providing a first component which has a through-hole; providing a ball and inserting the ball into the through-hole such that the ball protrudes out of the first component at opposite sides of the first component; placing a first pressing tool on the ball from a first side of the first component and placing a second pressing tool on the ball from a second side of the first component; plastically deforming the ball by pressing together the pressing tools, wherein material of the ball flows both on the first side as well as on the second side of the first component, such that material of the ball covers an edge of the through-hole on the first side and on the second side of the first component, whereby a formfitting connection is produced between the ball and the first component.