Abstract:
A linking arm assembly adapted to receive and retain a ball stud. The assembly includes an elongated rod structure and a socket head and is variable over a range of lengths by adjustment of the relative position of the elongated rod structure and the socket head. Linking arm assemblies consistent with the present disclosure may be adjusted for use in different applications while using common components.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a National Phase of PCT/US2014/015448 filed Feb. 8, 2014 and claims the benefit of, and priority from, U.S. Provisional Application 61/766,985 filed Feb. 20, 2013. The contents of such provisional application and any other patent documents referenced in this application are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to a linking arm assembly, and is more particularly directed to an adjustable linking arm assembly readily adapted for configuration to various sizes, and/or lengths and/or orientations so as to be adapted for use in a wide array of environments. The linking arm assembly may use a common set of components to achieve various configurations, thereby reducing the complexity associated with using size-specific components. By way of example only, a linking arm assembly in accordance with the present disclosure may find application as a vehicle ride height sensor linkage or the like. Such a linkage establishes a connection between the vehicle&#39;s moveable suspension and a sensor, such as a wheel sensor or the like, which provides position information to an electronic control unit. Of course, a linking arm assembly in accordance with the present disclosure may likewise find application in any number of other environments of use if desired. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In many operational environments one or more linking arm assemblies may be operatively connected to a structure for use in monitoring the position of that structure relative to a defined reference position. In many of these linking arm assemblies, a rod extends between a pair of socket heads or other attachment elements at either end of the rod. The attachment element at one end of the rod is attached to a ball stud or other engagement element at the structure to be monitored, and the attachment element at the other end is operatively connected to a reference structure or is allowed to articulate in a defined manner. The rod may include one or more sensors which monitor the relative positions of the ends. Changes in the spacing and/or the relative position of the ends can thus be monitored, thereby indicating changes in position. By way of example only, and not limitation, such linking arms may be used in conjunction with a vehicle computer to monitor headlight leveling, vehicle suspension height and the like. Of course, such assemblies may likewise be used for any number of other purposes as well. 
     One deficiency of prior linking arm assemblies has been the general lack of adaptability to a wide array of different uses. Thus, it has been typical to use a relatively large number of different configurations with pre-established sizes, lengths, and/or orientations to meet different needs. That is, past linking arm assemblies typically have been configured for specific environments of use and are not readily adjustable to adapt to significantly different environments of use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure provides useful advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing linking arm assemblies which are readily adaptable to assume a wide range of operative lengths and configurations using a small number of common components. Accordingly, linking arm assemblies consistent with the present disclosure may be adjusted for use in very different applications while using common components. 
     In accordance with one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure provides a variable length linking arm assembly adapted to receive and retain a ball stud. The linking arm assembly includes an elongated rod structure and at least a first socket head having a first socket cavity adapted to engage the ball stud. The first socket head is operatively connected to the rod structure. The assembly may optionally include at least a second socket head having a second socket cavity. The second socket head may be operatively connected to the rod structure at a position remote from the first socket head. The operative length of the linking arm assembly is variable over a range of lengths by adjustment of the relative position of the rod structure and the socket heads. 
     Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are schematic perspective views illustrating an exemplary socket head adapted to engage a ball stud for use in a linking arm assembly consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are schematic perspective views illustrating another embodiment of a linking arm assembly consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 7-9  are schematic perspective views illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view illustrating an exemplary profiled rod acceptance opening for use in a socket head sleeve segment in a linking arm assembly consistent with the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are schematic perspective views illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly consistent with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic perspective view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly consistent with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Before the exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is in no way limited in its application or construction to the details and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of terms such as “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein to the extent possible, like elements are designated by like reference numerals in the various views.  FIG. 1 , illustrates an embodiment of an exemplary adjustable linking arm assembly  10  consistent with the present disclosure. As illustrated, the exemplary linking arm assembly  10  may include a rod  12  of elongated construction formed of plastic, metal, ceramic, or other suitable material extending between a pair of socket heads  14  adapted to engage a ball stud or the like in a manner as will be described further hereinafter. By way of example only, the rod  12  may be electrolytically coated or zinc plated steel. The socket heads  14  may be molded as unitary structures from resilient materials such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), rubber, or other similar material which is adapted to deform resiliently in response to applied forces. As shown, the rod  12  may include end segments  16  incorporating threads, rings, or other anti-pull-out elements adapted to matedly engage the interior of elongated cooperating sleeve segments  20  of the socket heads  14 . In this regard, the end segments  16  of the rod  12  may incorporate anti-rotation threads such as those marketed under the trade designation BOSSCREW™ or the like incorporating indentions along the threads adapted to engage the polymer sleeve segments and to cause creep of the polymer as the threads are rotated during assembly. Such structures thereby require additional force for loosening and disengagement. 
     As illustrated, in accordance with one exemplary practice, the sleeve segments  20  of the socket heads  14  may have a substantially elongated construction with a length dimension of at least about 2.5 times the width dimension or greater. As will be appreciated, such extended lengths may promote substantial adjustability by facilitating insertion of the rod  12  to various depths as may be desired. Thus, the operative length of the linking arm assembly  10  may be readily adjusted by a user through controlled insertion of the rod  12  without the need to use a different rod or socket heads. 
     Referring now jointly to  FIGS. 1-3 , in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each of the socket heads  14  may have a generally “L” shaped construction incorporating the sleeve segment  20  of open-ended construction extending away from a generally bowl-shaped socket cradle  22 . In the illustrated construction, the socket heads  14  may also include a distal collar segment  24  of substantially hollow construction defining an insertion channel  25  oriented in substantially coaxial aligned relation to the rear of the socket cradle  22 . 
     As illustrated, the socket heads  14  may be adapted to receive and retain ball studs  30  incorporating a ball structure  32  at a proximal end and an engagement structure  34  such as a threaded connection or the like at a distal end. In this regard, while the ball stud  30  in  FIG. 2  is illustrated as having an engagement structure  34  in the form of a male thread, it is likewise contemplated that the engagement structure  34  may be another male or female connection element as may be desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in one exemplary construction, the socket cradle  22  houses an interior socket cavity  40  adapted to receive and retain the ball structure  32  of a cooperating ball stud  30 . In this arrangement, the ball structure  32  may be matedly inserted through the insertion channel  25  within the distal collar segment  24 . An elastomeric sealing boot  44  of rubber, plastic, or the like may fit in sealing relation circumferentially about the distal collar segment  24  such that the sealing boot  44  and the insertion channel  25  within the collar segment  24  are in substantially coaxial relation. In the illustrated exemplary construction, the sealing boot  44  includes a substantially annular outer face  46  defining a stud acceptance opening  48  aligned with the insertion channel  25  and adapted to receive the proximal end of the ball stud  30 . In this regard, the stud acceptance opening  48  may expand resiliently during insertion of the ball structure  32  and then rebound to sealingly surround the reduced diameter neck  36  inboard from the ball structure  32 . As shown, a raised hollow nipple  50  of flexible character may surround the stud acceptance opening  48  to aid in forming a seal about the neck  36  following insertion of the ball stud. As will be appreciated, the sealing boot  44  acts to contain any lubricant within the socket cavity  40  while blocking debris from entering the joint. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 3 , in the illustrated exemplary construction, the socket cavity  40  may include an arrangement of flexible raised interior ribs  56  which are molded into the socket cavity and are adapted to press against the ball structure  32  during use. As shown, the interior ribs  56  may follow the contour of the bowl-shaped socket cavity  40  so as to extend both radially and axially within the interior of the socket cavity. A substantially flat, flexible raised hub  57  may be molded into the back of the socket cavity  40  in substantial alignment with the insertion channel  25  such that the interior ribs  56  and the raised hub  57  form a hub and spoke orientation. Pockets  58  defining depressions between the interior ribs  56  may act to retain lubricant and to prevent debris from contacting the ball surface. As will be appreciated, the flexible socket cradle  22  and flexible interior ribs  56  may facilitate ease of ball insertion during assembly. Moreover, the flexible interior ribs  56  may provide a level of precompression to establish torque at levels to achieve desired performance and durability. 
     As will be understood, a linking arm assembly  10  in accordance with the present disclosure may be readily adapted to a wide variety of environments by inserting the rod  12  to various depths within the sleeve segments  20  thereby changing the effective length of the assembly. It is contemplated that the effective length also may be adjusted by altering the construction of the rod and/or the engagement between the rod  12  and the socket heads  14 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly  110  consistent with the present disclosure wherein elements described previously are designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 100. As shown, in this exemplary embodiment, the socket heads  114  may be integrally molded with elongate body structures  160  having a contoured face  162  including an arrangement of serrated teeth  163  across the surface of the contoured face. As shown, serrated teeth  163  may project generally in the same direction as the insertion channel  125  leading into the interior of the socket cradle  122 . As best seen in  FIG. 5 , the elongate body structures  160  may cooperatively mesh in overlapping face-to-face relation to define a multi-piece the rod structure  112  extending between the socket heads  114 . In this regard, the serrated teeth  163  across each surface may mate together to form an anti-slip arrangement. As will be appreciated, the face-to-face relation between the substantially polygonal body structures blocks undesired relative rotation. 
     In the illustrated exemplary construction, the elongate body structures  160  each may have a generally “T” shaped cross section defining a ledge  164  disposed along lateral sides of the body structures  160  below the contoured face  162 . The elongate body structures  160  may also include integral or attachable snap fasteners  165  arranged along the lateral sides. These snap fasteners  165  may be formed from resilient plastic or like material and may include hooking elements  166  at their free ends adapted to snap behind the ledges  164  of the opposing elongate body structure  160  so as to maintain the desired meshed relation when the elongate body structures are pressed together. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , in the illustrated exemplary construction, the hooking elements  166  may include chamfered outer faces  167  which extend to shoulder edges  168 . In use, the chamfered outer faces  167  of the hooking elements  166  are adapted to ride over the ledges  164  of the opposing elongate body structure  160  until the shoulder edges  168  snap behind the ledges  164  to establish a secure connection. As will be appreciated, in this embodiment, the operative length of the linking arm assembly  110  may be readily adjusted by a user by disengaging the snap fasteners  165  and repositioning the elongate body structures  160  relative to one another as desired. Multiple different operative lengths thereby may be achieved. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly  210  consistent with the present disclosure wherein elements described previously are designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 200. As shown, in this exemplary embodiment, the socket heads  214  may be operatively connected to spring-biasing brackets  270  adapted to snap in compressing relation circumferentially about the rod  212 . In this regard, while the rod  212  is illustrated as having a substantially circular cross-section, it is likewise contemplated that the rod  212  may have a contoured profile with protrusions and/or with one or more flat surfaces to further aid in preventing rotation. As illustrated, in this embodiment the socket heads  214  may be mounted in virtually any desired orientation along the length of the rod  212 . Multiple different operative lengths thereby may be achieved. 
       FIGS. 7-9  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly  310  consistent with the present disclosure wherein elements described previously are designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 300. As shown, in this exemplary embodiment, the rod  312  includes a pair of flattened end segments  316  incorporating a multiplicity of spaced-apart ribs  372  extending circumferentially about the end segments. As illustrated, the flattened end segments  316  are characterized by a width dimension which is substantially greater than the thickness dimension. It may be seen that each of the flattened end segments  316  may be inserted into an access opening  374  at the end of the sleeve segment  320 . As best seen in  FIG. 10  the access opening  374  may be configured to facilitate insertion of the end segments  316  in pre-defined orientations relative to the sleeve segment  320 . That is, the end segments may only be inserted in certain pre-defined orientations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , it may be seen that in the exemplary linking arm assembly  310 , the interior of the sleeve segments  320  may define a stepped channel configured to permit insertion of the end flattened end segments  316  to various predefined depths depending on the orientation of insertion. As shown, in the exemplary construction the stepped channel  375  may include a primary channel segment  376  which extends to an extended depth along the length of the sleeve segment  320  and a secondary channel segment  377  (only one half shown) disposed transverse to the primary channel segment. The secondary channel segment  377  extends only to a shortened depth within the sleeve segment  320 . 
     During assembly, the flattened end segments may be inserted into the sleeve segments so as to be aligned with either the primary channel segment  376  or with the secondary channel segment  377 . Insertion may then proceed until blockage is encountered. Thus, the operative length of the linking arm assembly  310  may be adjusted by changing the rotational orientation between the rod  312  and the socket heads  314 . 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly  410  consistent with the present disclosure wherein elements described previously are designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 400. As shown, in this embodiment, the socket heads  414  may include an elongated ridge surface nipple  480  adapted for press-fit insertion into end openings in the rod  412 . In this exemplary construction, the ridge surface nipples may deform or crush during press-fit insertion into complementary openings at the ends of the rod  412 , thereby locking the socket heads in place. The nipples  480  may be hollow along their length if desired to facilitate such deformation. The operative length of the linking arm assembly  410  may thus be established by inserting the nipples  480  to a defined degree. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates yet another exemplary embodiment of a linking arm assembly  510  consistent with the present disclosure wherein elements described previously are designated by corresponding reference numerals increased by 500. As shown, in this embodiment, the rod  512  may include an arrangement of ribs  590  disposed circumferentially about a polygonal body to block rotation. The rod  512  may be inserted into acceptance openings at the proximal ends of the socket head sleeve segments  520 . If desired, such acceptance openings may be profiled to include a pattern of scalloped indentures and protrusions about the perimeter to lockingly engage the ribs  590  following insertion. The operative length of the linking arm assembly  510  may be established by inserting the nipples rod  512  to a defined degree with withdrawal blocked by engagement between the ribs  590  and the socket head sleeve segments  520 . 
     While various spatial and directional terms, such as upper, horizontal, vertical, front and the like may used to describe embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes vertical, and the like. 
     Of course, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the contents of the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the fullest extent permitted by the prior art.