Patent ID: 7204497

Claim:
A steering post for a recreational vehicle having a forward direction of travel, the steering post comprising: a) a steering shaft comprising a first end proximal to a user's position, a second end, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween; b) at least one steering arm secured to the steering shaft and configured for transmitting rotation from the steering shaft to a steering system, wherein the steering arm is positioned at a substantially non-perpendicular angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the steering shaft; and c) a ball joint assembly positioned at the second end of the steering shaft, the ball joint assembly comprising: a housing, wherein the housing comprises a cavity formed therein; a ball seat positioned inside the housing cavity; and a ball stud comprising a rounded head portion rotatably disposed within the ball seat and a threaded portion that extends in a direction away from the steering shaft, wherein the ball stud is coupled to the steering shaft through the ball seat and housing.