Patent ID: 8172326

Claim:
A pivot joint assembly comprising: a mounting member having first and second sides and a hole that extends continuously through the mounting member from the first side to the second side thereof so as to define a continuous inner surface therethrough; a bar including (1) an outer surface that is supported on the inner surface defined by the hole extending through the mounting member such that the bar is supported on the mounting member for relative rotational movement, (2) a first bead formed integrally from a first portion of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a first surface, and (3) a second bead formed integrally from a second portion of the bar and extending outwardly from the outer surface so as to define a second surface; a first bushing that is disposed between the first side of the mounting member and the first surface defined by the first bead of the bar; a second bushing that is disposed between the second side of the mounting member and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar; and a washer that is disposed between the bushing and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar, wherein the first and second sides of the mounting member are respectively supported by the first surface defined by the first bead of the bar and the second surface defined by the second bead of the bar such that lateral movement of the bar relative to the mounting member is prevented.