Patent ID: 8262487

Claim:
A ball joint comprising: an inner hub having an inner hub axis and an outer surface, in which inner races and cage guide surfaces are arranged in the inner hub; an outer hub having an outer hub axis and an inner surface, in which outer races and cage guide surfaces are arranged in the outer hub, wherein an inner race is disposed opposite each outer race to form a race pair therewith; a substantially ring-shaped cage having a cage axis, an inner surface, an outer surface, and two edges which bound the inner surface and the outer surface, said cage being arranged between the inner hub and the outer hub and having windows which correspond to the number of race pairs; and a plurality of balls guided in said windows and engaged in the inner and outer races, wherein the inner surface of the cage is constructed in such a manner that the inner surface and/or an envelope of the inner surface extends from the two edges of the cage in the direction of the cage axis, at least in sections; the outer surface of the cage is constructed in such a manner that the outer surface and/or an envelope of the outer surface extends from the two edges of the cage away from the direction of the cage axis, at least in sections; at least one inner race of the inner hub extends substantially straight and/or parallel to the inner hub axis; at least one outer race of the outer hub extends substantially straight and/or parallel to the outer hub axis; at least one section of the inner surface of the cage having such a stepwise course that the envelope of the at least one section of the inner surface extends from an edge of the cage in the direction of the cage axis and/or at least one section of the outer surface of the cage having such a stepwise course that the envelope of the at least one section of the outer surface extends away from the direction of the cage axis; the cage holds the balls in a plane, and the windows and the balls guided therein are constructed in such a manner and are adapted to each other such that the balls are substantially free of play inside each window, at least in the direction of the cage axis.