Patent ID: 7367100

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a single-piece, metal ball socket for attaching a headlamp pod to a mounting bracket, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a single-piece of metal with a base portion and at least two wall portions that each have a top that extends away from the base portion and a bottom that is integral with the base portion; (b) forming an arcuate edge surface on each of the at least two wall portions; (c) folding the at least two wall portions in the same direction about the base portion to form at least two walls that are substantially perpendicular to the base portion and extend in substantially the same direction; and (d) bending the at least two walls in a manner to cause each of the arcuate edge surfaces to form a lock-in finger that has a surface unconnected from the wall and that extends inward toward the base at an acute angle from the integral wall.