Patent ID: 7441978
Filing Date: 2008-10-28
Classification: B29C,B29K,B29L,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A bearing shell for a ball and socket joint, the bearing shell comprising: a core comprising a plastic material and a reinforcement additive in the plastic material comprising one or more of fibers and beads, said core having a core outer surface for contact with a ball joint housing, said core having a concave core inner surface; and a film formed separate from said core, said film comprising a sheet structure molded to conform to the shape of the core inner surface and having a concave film inner surface and a convex film outer surface, said convex film outer surface of said film engaging said concave core inner surface such that said film and said core form an integral bearing shell, said reinforcement additive in the plastic material of said core reinforcing said bearing shell, said film consisting of a plastic sheet material that is unreinforced or a plastic sheet material that is unreinforced and is provided with a tribological additive, said plastic material of said film and said plastic material of said core consisting of the same plastic material, said concave film inner surface forming an inner surface of said bearing shell for contacting a joint ball of a ball pin, said concave film inner surface being spherical in at least some areas of said bearing shell.