Patent ID: 7740236

Claim:
An elastomer-containing rod end isolator, comprising, in combination, an outer member having means for connection to a load, and having a rounded pocket therein for receiving a truncated, approximately spherical inner member, said truncated, approximately spherical inner member spaced apart a given distance from and substantially concentric with said outer member, said inner member having two continuous legs each extending in a circular path, disposed adjacent the outer periphery of said inner member and having a flat end surface extending radially toward and terminating short of said outer member, and also having a smooth internal lateral surface, and, filling at least part of the space between said inner and outer members, a layer of an elastomer lying between and strongly adhered to both said inner and outer members, and occupying the entire space between said members except for an axially inwardly extending empty mold finger volume, within said elastomer, on each side, said empty mold finger volume on each side forming a groove extending circumferentially and being between said flat end surface of said leg and an inner surface of said outer member wherein said groove extends axially inwardly beyond the width of said leg, and wherein said elastomer contacts said smooth inner lateral surface of said leg.