Patent ID: 7008135
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: B60Q,F16C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A single piece stamped ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to a mounting bracket, the ball socket comprising: (a) a single piece of metal having a base and at least two flexing walls, each wall having a plurality of detached sides, a top portion, and a bottom portion integral with said base, such that each wall is only attached to the ball socket by its bottom portion, in order to allow each wall to flex inward and outward; and (b) at least two W-shaped, angled lock-in fingers and at least two complementary W-shaped wall apertures, each finger having a portion that is integral with and extends away from one of the top portions of the at least two walls and an end that is bent away from said walls at an acute angle to form a triangular space there between, the end protruding at an angle inward toward said base from said walls, the space extending through the at least two W-shaped wall apertures, each of said lock-in fingers positioned on one of said walls, so that when pressure is exerted on the lock-in fingers during insertion of the ball, said walls flex outward from the base to allow said pivot ball to be inserted between said ends of said lock-in fingers and so that when said pivot ball is fully inserted, the walls spring back to their original position and said pivot ball is adjustably retained in the ball socket by said ends of said lock-in fingers.