Patent ID: 8770846

Claim:
A non-articulating joint assembly, comprising: a bearing having a body including a first axial portion with a first, substantially constant inner diameter that transitions to a second axial portion having a second, substantially constant inner diameter that is different from the first, substantially constant inner diameter, and a third axial portion including a substantially non-constant, tapering transition diameter that is located intermediate of and connects the first, substantially constant inner diameter to the second, substantially constant inner diameter, wherein each of the first axial portion, the second axial portion and the third axial portion surround a common axis of rotation, wherein a surface of the second axial portion includes a plurality of fingers extending circumferentially therefrom near the transition between the first axial portion and the second axial portion, and protrusions extending radially therefrom between adjacent fingers, the protrusions limiting deflections of the fingers; and a bracket having a substantially cylindrical end rotatably coupled to said bearing, wherein said fingers contact said cylindrical end.