Patent ID: 6860519
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: F16L

Abstract:
1. Apparatus including a metal ball joint assembly for permitting limited flexure in attached pressurized fluid lines, said assembly comprising: first and second tubular sections extending on opposite ends of a central bellows which is capable of limited flexure to accommodate differences in axes angles of said tubular sections; and a housing surrounding and constraining said bellows to flexure within predetermined angle limits, said housing comprising: wherein said bellows is formed as an extension of said first tubular section at one end of the bellows; and wherein the inner annular element is not attached to said first tubular section but is maintained in position against sliding along said first tubular section by a first annular restraint collar which is welded to said first tubular section near one end and flared outwardly at the other end to contact the inner surface of said inner annular element and support the inner annular element in a fixed position on said first tubular section.