Patent ID: 7661902

Claim:
A ball and socket joint comprising: a joint housing with an opening on one axial side; a pivot pin with a shaft and a joint ball formed at one end thereof, said joint ball being accommodated by said joint housing and said shaft protruding from said joint housing; a bearing shell with an essentially spherical inner surface, said bearing shell being arranged between said joint housing and said joint ball, said bearing shell having an opening on one side and having a permanently lubricated inner wall, said bearing shell comprising at least two layers including an inner metallic layer consisting essentially of metal and an outer plastic layer consisting essentially of a plastic, wherein said bearing shell is divided into two cirumferential parts, wherein said two parts of said bearing shell each comprise said at least two layers and are connected to one another via a web forming a hinge located opposite said bearing shell opening, wherein said inner surface of said bearing shell has at least one groove axially extending between said web and said bearing shell opening, which forms a reservoir for a lubricant, on said inner surface facing said joint ball; a closing ring cooperating with said housing for closing said opening of said housing in a region adjacent to said opening of said bearing shell; and a sealing bellows closing and sealing said opening of said joint housing in an area of a transition between said joint ball and said shaft of said pivot pin.