Patent ID: 7568841

Claim:
A ball/socket link end, comprising: an elongated link member having a longitudinal axis, the link member having a link opening adjacent an end of the link, the opening having a central transverse axis which is oriented perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis; a removable truncated ball member having a width defined by substantially flat opposing sides and having a spherical perimeter, and having a cylindrical bore extending therethrough substantially perpendicular to said opposing sides; said link opening having a spherical inner surface matching the spherical perimeter of the ball member, said link opening having a pair of entry slots, said slots being spaced apart and positioned on opposite sides of said longitudinal axis, and said slots extending only part way into the link end in a direction parallel to said transverse axis, and said slots receiving the ball member when the ball member is oriented with its opposing sides parallel to said transverse axis; and a clamp member attachable to the link end to prevent removal of the ball member from the opening when the ball member is aligned with the entry slots, the clamp member being attached to the link end by a bolt which is inserted through the clamp member and into the link end.