Patent ID: 9261132
Filing Date: 2016-02-16
CPC Classification: F16C,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A link apparatus comprising: a tubular member manufactured from a material having at least a 90% retention of ultimate tensile strength at a temperature of up to 329.44° Celsius (625° Fahrenheit), the tubular member having a first diameter and a first lateral cross-sectional area; a first conical adapter having a first base and a first conical flare, the first conical flare being mechanically joined to a first end of the tubular member, the first conical flare defining a second diameter defined by an inner diameter of the first conical flare and having a magnitude configured to engagingly receive the first diameter, the first base member having a right hand threaded end defined by a third diameter which is less than the second diameter; a second conical adapter having a second base and a second conical flare, the second conical flare being mechanically joined to a second end of the tubular member, the second conical flare defining a fourth diameter equal to the second diameter, the second base member having a left hand threaded end defined by a fifth diameter equal to the third diameter; a first rod end having a first threaded shank and a first socket, the first threaded shank removably threaded into the right hand threaded first base of the first conical adapter, the first socket having a first bearing assembly disposed therein; a second rod end having a second threaded shank and a second socket, the second threaded shank removably threaded into the left hand threaded second base of the second conical adapter, the second socket having a second bearing assembly disposed therein; and each of the first bearing assembly and the second bearing assembly comprising, a liner configured to reduce friction disposed within the area of engagement; the liner mitigating moment loading on the tubular member; the first rod end and the second rod end each having a second lateral cross-sectional area; the first cross-sectional area of the tubular member is at least as great as the second cross sectional area of the first and second rod ends; and the tubular member being tensionable by rotation relative to the first and second rod ends.