Patent ID: 8888396
Filing Date: 2014-11-18
Classification: B64C,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A self-retaining anti-rotation clip for a spherical-bearing rod end, the rod end comprising a body and a spherical ball rotatably carried within the body, the rod end also having a connector for attaching the rod end to another object, the clip comprising: first and second completely separable opposing spacer plates, each spacer plate having a curved edge portion adapted for surrounding at least a portion of a ball of a rod end; a connector plate connecting the spacer plates comprising a first half extending from the first spacer plate and a second half extending from the second spacer plate, such that the spacer plates are spaced from each other and generally parallel to each other and that the first spacer plate and the first half of the connector plate are identical in shape and size to the second spacer plate and the second half of the connector plate; a fastener attached to an outer surface of the clip and configured to secure each spacer plate to each other in a position generally adjacent one side of a body of the rod end, such that the spacer plates are free from interference with the ball of the rod end, the fastener having: a hole formed by the connector plate for receiving the connector of the rod; wherein the two spacer plates are substantially planar and are secured together solely by the fastener; wherein any cross section of each the clip in a plane parallel to the spacer plates defines a strictly convex space or shape such that the two spacer plates and the connector plate are configured to solely surround the entire body of the rod end.