Threaded boot dust cover for ball joint and method of making same

Abstract

A system and method is proposed for mounting a threaded boot onto a housing of a ball joint. The ball joint comprises a stud, a ball, a housing and a threaded boot. The stud extends from the ball through an opening in the housing. The ball is configured to be inserted into a cavity of the housing, the cavity surface and ball being lubricated for low friction rotational movement of the ball relative the housing. The threaded boot having a first portion which forms a first seal with the stud, the first seal being a press fit. The threaded boot having a threaded portion which forms a second seal with a second threaded portion of the housing, the second seal being a threaded coupling.

Description

THREADED BOOT DUST COVER FOR BALL JOINT AND METHOD OF MAKING SAMECROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application no. 63 / 715,335 filed on November 1, 2025, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of machine parts, and more specifically, embodiments relate to devices, systems and methods for improved ball joint installation in vehicles.INTRODUCTION

[0003] During installation of automobile parts, either during initial construction or repair, ball joints are employed for connecting a first component to a second component, while still maintaining axial movement in two planes. Ball joints typically contain a stud which has a first end for coupling to an automobile component, a ball coupled to the second end of the rod, and a housing containing a cavity for receiving the ball. The interface between the surface of the ball and the surface of the housing cavity is typically lubricated in order to facilitate low friction rotational movement of the ball within the cavity.

[0004] Debris and contaminants may enter the housing cavity and lead to fouling of the joint and damage to the surfaces of the ball and cavity. A boot can be employed to provide a contaminant free seal, the boot is a rubber component used to seal and protect a ball joint’s internal components from external contaminants. The boot typically forms a first seal along the stud and a second seal below the cavity opening to enclose the joint. This can require a user to press fit the boot onto the housing of the joint after the joint has been mounted to the vehicle, which necessitates specialized tools and precision to avoid damage to the joint and adjacent automobile components. Therefore, improved methods and systems for installing a ball joint with a boot are desirable.SUMMARY

[0005] During traditional installation of a ball joint within an automobile, a boot for protecting the joint from contaminants is press fit over a stud and onto a seat of a housing. In order to ensure a contaminant free seal, the press fitting requires specialized tools which stretch the rubber boot onto the seat and then release the boot so that it contracts into position. The necessity for specialized tools increases the installation complexity and skill required by the user. Further, there is a risk that the specialized tool may damage the components of the joint or surrounding automobile components due to the confined space that may be present when working on an automobile.

[0006] The proposed system and method allow for installation of a ball joint within an automobile chassis without the need for specialized tools. The boot of the ball joint can form a seal with the housing of the ball joint through a threaded coupling instead of a press fit. The proposed system and method utilize a threaded coupling between the boot and housing, and a press fit seal between the boot and stud. The result is a ball joint which can be installed by hand thereby reducing the installation complexity and risk of damage to the joint.

[0007] The proposed method can be implemented for mounting a threaded boot onto a housing of a ball joint. The housing is first secured to a vehicle part within the vehicle chassis. The housing defines a cavity which can receive a ball coupled to a stud. The threaded boot is then coupled to the stud by sliding a first portion of the boot into contact with the stud. The boot has a second portion which has a threaded section which is configured to threadingly couple to a second threaded portion located on the housing. Once the first portion of the boot is coupled to the stud, the threaded sections located on the boot and housing are then coupled to form a seal.

[0008] In another embodiment, the ball is inserted into the cavity of the housing. In a further embodiment, the first portion of the boot rests on an extruding portion of the stud before the ball is inserted into the cavity of the housing.

[0009] In another embodiment, the first portion of the boot is coupled to the ball stud prior to coupling the threaded portion of the boot to the threaded portion of the housing.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the threaded portion of the boot and housing are tightened together until a press fit is achieved between the ball stud and first portion of the boot. In furtherembodiment, the tightening is performed by hand, instead of required specialized tools. In a further embodiment, the first portion of the boot is press fit into an extruding portion of the stud.

[0011] In another embodiment, the threaded portions of the boot and housing are coupled through a twisting motion that is exerted on the boot, such that the first portion of the boot freely rotates about the stud while the housing remains static.

[0012] In another embodiment, the boot is slid over the stud using an opening on the boot.

[0013] In another embodiment, the stud is aligned to be parallel with the surface of the threaded portion of the housing before the boot and housing are threadingly coupled. In another embodiment, the threaded portion of the housing and boot have a wide thread diameter and fine thread pitch which allows for self-alignment of the threaded portions.

[0014] In another embodiment, the threaded portion of the boot and housing are tightened until the boot abuts an extruding portion of the housing.

[0015] In another embodiment, the threaded portion of the boot is made from a metal or polymer material that is coupled to the interior surface of the second portion of the boot. In another embodiment, the first and second portion of the boot are made from a rigid or elastomer material. In another embodiment, the housing has a textured exterior surface to improve a users grip while hand tightening.

[0016] A system for a ball joint assembly comprising a ball joint fitted into a cavity. The cavity is defined by a housing which can be coupled to an automobile chassis. A ball stud extends from the ball and through an opening in the housing. A boot for sealing the cavity of the housing and the ball from external contaminants has a first portion configured to be coupled to the stud, and a second portion, which opposes the first portion, having a threaded portion. The threaded portion of the second portion is configured to threadingly couple with a threaded portion of the housing.

[0017] In an embodiment, the first threaded portion is positioned radially inward, and the second threaded portion is positioned radially outward for coupling to the first threaded portion.

[0018] In another embodiment the ball joint assembly comprises a projection member extending from the housing, the projection member positioned to abut a surface of the boot when the first threaded portion is threaded onto and overlaps with the second threaded portion.

[0019] The system is configured to interoperate with a suspension assembly of an automobile, specifically, interfacing a control arm and a knuckle.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] In the figures, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and figures are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding.

[0021] Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein in the figures:

[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of a proposed joint in a sealed position, according to some embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a proposed joint showing the male and female threaded portion, according to some embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a front view of a proposed joint in a semi-sealed and sealed position, according to some embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of mounting a threaded boot onto a housing of a joint, according to some embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a side view of a proposed joint in a sealed position and coupled to a car part, according to some embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a front view of a proposed joint 100 in a sealed position. In the present embodiment, the joint 100 is a ball joint having a stud 102, a ball 104 (not pictured) and a housing 106. The stud 102 may be configured for biaxial articulation about the vertical and horizontal plane of the stud 102. In some embodiments, the stud 102 may have a threaded portion at one end which is capable of coupling to a corresponding threaded portion of a vehicle component such as a suspension assembly.

[0028] The stud 102, on the opposing end of the threaded portion, is coupled to a ball 104 which is configured to fit into a socket or cavity within the housing 106. The housing 106 is configured to receive the ball 104 and the cavity within the housing 106 may receive the ball 104directly or have an intermediate bearing which separates the surface of the cavity from the surface of the ball 104. The cavity within the housing 106 may be substantially spherical and have a smooth surface which facilitates biaxial articulation of the ball 104 within the cavity.

[0029] In some embodiments, the housing 106 may have a base 107 which is configured to couple to a corresponding portion of a vehicle component such as a suspension assembly. In some embodiments, base 107 may have a textured exterior surface to provide an improved gripping surface for handling.

[0030] To facilitate biaxial articulation of the ball 104 within the cavity of the housing 106, the ball 104 and cavity may be lubricated with a fluid which reduces the friction between the two components. As would be understood, in order for the joint 100 to operate effectively, it is imperative that the contact between the ball 104 and cavity of the housing 106 be kept free of contaminants which could impact the low friction contact. Further, contaminants which enter the cavity may lead to fouling and increase the wear on the surface of the ball 104 and cavity, leading to reduced product life and performance.

[0031] Boot 108 acts as a cover which seals the contact point of the ball 104 and cavity of the housing 106 from contaminants. Boot 108 may have a bell shape where the top portion 110 has a smaller circumference than the bottom portion 112. Boot 108 may have two openings located at the top portion 110 and bottom portion 112 which can receive the stud 102. Boot 108 encapsulates the stud 102 and ball 104 such that the interior of boot 108 is substantially hollow and the only contact points are at the top portion 110 with the stud 102 and the bottom portion 112 with the housing 106.

[0032] The top portion 110 of boot 108 forms a contaminant proof seal against the surface of stud 102 through a press fit. In some embodiments, stud 102 may have a circumference which increases as it extends towards the coupling point with the ball 104. This may allow the larger opening at the bottom portion 112 of the boot 108 to slide easily over the stud 102. The top portion 110 of the boot 108 may slide down the stud 102 until a desired depth along the stud 102 is reached at which point the stud 102 and top portion 110 of the boot will make contact.

[0033] In another embodiment, stud 102 may be configured to have an extruding lip which extends perpendicular to the surface of the stud 102. The extruding lip of the stud 102 may act as a stopper which makes contact with the top portion 110 of the boot.

[0034] The housing 106 has an extruding portion 114 which extends perpendicular from the surface of the housing 106. The extruding portion 114 forms a contaminant proof seal against the bottom portion 112 of the boot 108. The extruding portion 114 further acts to prevent overtightening of the boot 108 onto the housing which could lead to damage of the components.

[0035] The interior surface of the bottom portion 112 of the boot 108 contains a first threaded portion 118 (shown in FIG. 2) which is configured to couple to a second threaded portion 116 of the housing 106 to form a contaminant proof seal. The second threaded portion 116 may be located on the exterior surface of the housing 106 adjacent to the extruding portion 114. Extruding portion 114 provides a projection member that may abut a surface of boot 108 stopping boot 108 from being overtightened by limiting how far threaded portion 118 may overlap with second threaded portion 116. Therefore, as a user screws together the first threaded portion 118 and the second threaded portion 116, the extruding portion 114 will physically restrain the user from tightening past a certain point. In an example, extruding portion 114 is positioned a distance from second threaded portion 116 selected to stop threaded portion 118 at a desired overlap with second threaded portion 116 which may prevent over tightening. As shown in FIG. 2, second threaded portion 116 may be positioned radially outward for coupling with first threaded portion 118 which may be positioned radially inward.

[0036] When the first threaded portion 118 of the boot 108 is fully threaded onto the second threaded portion 116 of the housing 106, the second portion 112 and extruding portion 114 form a seal against contaminants. Further, when fully tightened, the top portion 110 of the boot 108 is forced downwards by the tightening of the first and second threaded portions 116 and 118 so that it forms a press fit seal against the stud 102.

[0037] By incorporating a threaded coupling mechanism between the bottom portion 112 of the boot 108 and the housing 106, the boot can be installed by hand and the necessity for specialized tools capable of achieving a press fit at both the top portion 110 and bottom portion 112 of the boot 108 is removed. Instead, a user may instal the boot solely by aligning the first threaded portion 118 and second threaded portion 116 and rotating the boot 108 relative to the housing 106. The tightening of the two threaded portions 116 and 118 will force the top portion 110 into a press fit with the stud 102 and create a contaminant free seal at both the top 110 and bottom 112 portion of the boot 108. Further, by removing the need for specialized tools, the potential for damaging the joint 100 during installation is removed or significantly reduced as the risk of misalignment and overtightening when installing the boot 108 may be removed. Joint 100may be especially practical when installing a joint in a confined space as a user does not need room to operate specialized and large tools. Further, joint 100 may be beneficial when the boot cannot come pre-installed, and it must be attached after the ball joint is mounted on the vehicle.

[0038] In some embodiments, the boot 108 may be made from an elastomer which is capable of elastic deformation to allow for biaxial articulation of the ball 104 and stud 102. In a further embodiment, the boot 108 may be made from a synthetic rubber. In another embodiment, the boot 108 may be composed of a rigid material which restricts the biaxial movement of the stud 102.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the proposed joint 100 showing the male and female threaded portion. The ball 104 is inserted within the cavity of the housing 106 and the stud 102 is extending from the ball 104. The boot 108 can be slid onto the stud 102 through the openings at the top portion 110 and bottom portion 112 so that the internal cavity of the boot 108 encapsulates the ball 104 and stud 102.

[0040] The first threaded portion 118 located on the interior surface of the bottom portion 112 of the boot 108 may be female threads which are configured to receive the male threads of the second threaded portion 116 located on the exterior surface of the housing 106. The first 118 and second 116 threaded portions may have a wide thread diameter and fine thread pitch to assist with alignment of the boot 108 onto the housing 106. In some embodiments, the thread diameter may be from 30 to 60mm, and the thread pitch may be from 1 to 2mm. The wide thread diameter and fine thread pitch may result in the stud 102 being substantially parallel to the surface of the second threaded portion 116 when coupling the boot 108 to the housing 106.

[0041] In some embodiments, the boot 108 may be made from an elastomer and the first threaded portion 118 may be made of metal or polymer material. The first threaded portion 118 may be machined directly into the boot 108 such that the boot 108 and first threaded portion 118 are a single component. In a preferred embodiment, the first threaded portion 118 is an insert which is bonded to the interior surface of the bottom portion 112 of the boot 108. This allows the first threaded portion 118 to be composed of a separate and more rigid material than the boot 108.

[0042] In some embodiments, the first threaded portion 118 may be bonded to the boot 108 by an adhesive, mechanical bonding or welding.

[0043] In some embodiments, the second threaded portion 116 may be machined into the exterior surface of the housing 106. The second threaded portion 116 may be located adjacent to the extruding portion 114. The second threaded portion 116 and the housing 106 may both be made from a metal material.

[0044] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the bottom portion 112 of the boot 108 has a lip which, when the joint 100 is installed, contacts the extruding portion 114 of the housing to form a contaminant free seal. The lip of the bottom portion 112 and the extruding portion 114 also provide a physical barrier to overtightening of the boot 108 onto the housing 106. In some embodiments, the bottom portion 112 may have a rubber seal which deforms when in contact with the extruding portion 114 of the housing 106 in order to form a tight seal between the two surfaces.

[0045] The top portion 110 of the boot does not have threads as it will form a press fit with the stud 102 when the joint 100 is installed. This reduces the machining complexity required for manufacturing the boot 108 as only one surface (i.e., the interior of the bottom portion 112) has to contain threads. Further, if the threaded portion of the boot 108 is manufactured through bonding the threaded portion to the boot 108, then there is a reduction in labour required as only the first threaded portion 118 has to be bonded to the interior surface of the boot 108.

[0046] Therefore, the top portion 110 can be a simple gasket like surface which grips the exterior surface of the stud 102. In some embodiments, stud 102 may have an extruding lip portion which may assist with forming a seal with the top portion 110 of the boot 108.

[0047] A further benefit of having the top portion 110 devoid of threads in that installation is simplified as a user only has to align one set of threads (the first threaded portion 118 and second threaded portion 116) when installing the boot 108 onto the housing 106. The top portion 110 may therefor assist in alignment of the first 118 and second 116 threaded portion as it will sit flush with the stud 102 while still being capable of free rotation about the stud 102 until the first 118 and second 116 threaded portion are fully tightened.

[0048] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the proposed joint 100 in a semi-sealed and sealed position. In the semi-sealed position, shown on the left of FIG. 3, the first 118 and second 116 threaded portions are uncoupled and the top portion 110 of the boot 106 is coupled to the stud 102. The top portion 110 of the boot 108 is still capable of free rotation about the stud 102 in the semi-sealed position.

[0049] In some embodiments, in the semi-sealed position, the coupling of the top portion 110 to the stud 102 may assist in alignment of the first threaded portion 118 and the second threaded portion 116. In some embodiments, the wide thread diameter and fine thread pitch may assist in aligning the boot 108 with the housing 106.

[0050] To transition from the semi-sealed position to the sealed position (seen on the right of FIG. 3), the first threaded portion 118 and second threaded portion 116 are tightened. For example, a user may apply a twisting motion on the threaded boot while gripping the housing 106 such that the boot 108 may rotate about the stud 102 to allow coupling of the first 118 and second 116 threaded portions.

[0051] The boot may be installed by hand without the need for specialized tools. A user may grip the housing 106, preferably using the textured surface to obtain a better grip, while twisting the boot 108 until the bottom portion 112 is flush with the extruding portion 114 of the housing 106. In some embodiments, overtightening is avoided when hand tightening due to the extruding portion 114 providing a physical barrier which stops the boot 108 once a satisfactory seal is achieved. The desired tightening is achieved when the bottom portion 112 makes contact with the extruding portion 114 of the housing 106. At this desired tightening, the top portion 110 of the boot 108 may form a press fit seal with the stud 102, thereby completing the seal at the two openings of the boot 108. In some embodiments, the top portion 110 may form a press fit with the external surface of the stud 102 and an extruding lip which extends from the surface of the stud 102.

[0052] In some embodiments, even when a desired tightening is not achieved, such as when the first threaded portion 118 of the boot 108 is only partially threaded onto the second threaded portion 116 of the housing 106, a sufficient contaminant free seal may be formed. This may be due to the seal formed by the partially threaded first 118 and second 116 threaded portions being sufficient to restrict the entry of contaminants into the housing cavity, even though the bottom portion 112 is not completely flush with the extruding portion 114 of the housing 106. Further, the opening at the top portion 110 of the boot 108 may be sized such that a sufficient seal is achieved with the stud 102 even when a desired tightening is not achieved. This may be possible due to the diameter of the stud 102 expanding in the direction of the ball 104, and the top portion 110 forming a seal with the stud 102 without being fully compressed into a press fit with the stud 102.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method 400 of mounting a threaded boot onto a housing of the joint 100. The method 400 may be used for installing the joint 100 onto an automobile, specifically a suspension assembly. The method 400 may be performed entirely by hand without the need for specialized equipment.

[0054] Method 400 begins, at 402, by securing the housing 106 to a vehicle, the housing 106 defining a cavity which receives a ball 104 of a stud 102. In some embodiments, the ball 104 may be inserted into the cavity of the housing 106 and the surface of the ball 104 and the cavity may be lubricated to reduce the friction at the point of contact.

[0055] The boot 108 may be slid over the stud 102 through the opening at the top portion 110 and bottom portion 112 of the boot 108. At 404, once the boot 108 has been received by the stud 102, the top portion 110 of the boot 108 may loosely couple to the exterior surface of the stud 102, the boot 108 still be able to freely rotate around the stud 102.

[0056] The top portion 110 of the boot 108 may, while loosely coupled to the exterior surface of the stud 102, rest on an extruding lip portion which extends perpendicular from the surface of the stud 102.

[0057] In some embodiments, the boot 108 may be received by the stud 102 prior to the ball 104 of the stud 102 being inserted into the cavity of the housing 106. For example, the top portion 110 may loosely couple to the stud 102 and then the ball 104 may be inserted into the cavity of the housing 106. This is possible because only the bottom portion 112 of the boot 108 contains threads, so the top portion 110 and bottom portion 112 do not need to be coupled simultaneously.

[0058] Once the top portion 110 is loosely coupled to the stud 102, at 406, the first threaded portion 118 of the bottom portion 112 may be coupled to the second threaded portion 116 of the housing 106. In some embodiments, prior to coupling the first 118 and second 116 threaded portions, the stud 102 may be aligned to be substantially parallel with the surface of the second threaded portion 116. Due to the loose coupling of the top portion 110 and the stud 102, this may ensure that the first threaded portion 118 is aligned with the second threaded portion. In some embodiments, alignment of the first threaded portion 118 and second threaded portion 116 may occur through the wide thread diameter and fine thread pitch present in the threaded portions.

[0059] Once proper alignment is achieved, the first threaded portion 118 may be coupled with the second threaded portion 116 by rotating boot 108 relative to the ball stud 102. A twisting motion may be exerted on the boot 108 while the housing 106 is held static in order to couple the two threaded portions. The top portion 110 may freely rotate about the stud 102 when coupling the first 118 and second 116 threaded portions.

[0060] The first 118 and second 116 threaded portion may be coupled by hand, such that the user does not need to use specialized tools to achieve a contaminant free seal. The exterior surface of the housing 106 may be textured to provide an improved gripping surface for a user when installing the boot 108 by hand. The first threaded portion 118 and second threaded portion 116 may be tightened until a press fit is achieved between the top portion 110 and the stud 102. Joint 100 is designed such that a press fit between the top portion 110 and the stud 102 is achieved when the bottom portion 112 and the extruding portion 114 are flush. Therefore, the physical contact between the bottom portion 112 and the extruding portion 114 act as a physical barrier from overtightening and a signal that the first 118 and second 116 threaded portions have been sufficiently tightened to achieve a contaminant free seal at both openings of the boot 108.

[0061] In a further embodiment, in order to improve the quality of the seal provided by the boot 108. The top portion 110 may form a press fit with both the exterior surface of the stud 102 and an extruding lip extending perpendicular from the stud 102. Further, the bottom portion 112 may have a rubber insert which deforms when in contact with the extruding portion 114 of the housing 106 and creates a high pressure and resilient seal.

[0062] FIG. 5 shows a side view of the proposed joint 100 in a sealed position and coupled to a vehicle part 120. In some embodiments, the housing 106 is first coupled to the vehicle part 120 before the ball 104 of the stud 102 and boot 108 are installed onto the joint 100. In some embodiments, the joint 100 is fully installed, such that the ball 104 of the stud 102 and boot 108 are coupled to the housing 106 before the housing 106 is coupled to the vehicle part 120.

[0063] The housing 106 may be coupled to the vehicle part 120 through mechanical fastening, welding or chemical bonding. The housing 106 may be inserted into a cylindrical cutout within the car part 120. In some embodiments, the vehicle part 120 may be a steering assembly and a suspension assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle part 120 is asuspension assembly. In a most preferred embodiment, the joint 100 is coupled between a control arm and a knuckle.

[0064] Once the housing 106 has been coupled to the vehicle part 120, the remaining installation of the joint 100 may be performed entirely by hand. This reduces the requirement for specialized tools

[0065] Installation entirely by hand of joint 100 is facilitated by the fact that the boot 108 can be threaded onto the housing 106. The tightening of the first 118 and second 116 threaded portion further facilitates a press fit between the contact surfaces of the top portion 110 and stud 102. By removing the necessity for specialized tools, not only is installation simplified for a user, but it also becomes easier to instal the joint 100 in tighter spaces where certain tools may not fit, this is especially beneficial when working on automobiles where components can be located in compact spaces. Further, the extruding portion 114 provides a physical restriction on overtightening as the bottom portion 112 will sit flush with the extruding portion 114 when the boot is tightened to the desired state.

[0066] By coupling the boot 108 to the extruding portion 114 of the housing 106, instead of to the car part 120, the proposed joint 100 reduces the installation complexity and may allow a user to first instal the housing 106 to the car part 120, and then at a later stage install the remaining joint 100 components. For example, a user may first instal the housing 106 to the car part 120, and then once the housing 106 has been properly installed, insert the ball 104 and stud 102 into the cavity of the housing 106. Finally, a user may then couple the boot 108 to the housing 106 and stud 102 once they have confirmed that the previously installed joint 100 components have been properly installed. Therefore, joint 100 reduces the instantaneous workload of a user since they do not need to manage multiple components at once, since each component can be installed individually.

[0067] Lastly, by combining a press fit between the top portion 110 and the stud 102, and a threaded coupling between the bottom portion 112 and housing 106, a balance is struck which optimizes ease of installation and manufacturing complexity. Threads may require finer machining to manufacture but may provide a user with simpler, tool free, installation. However, a press fit seal may require less machining to manufacture but often requires specialized tools for installation when implemented in isolation. Therefore, the combination offered in the proposed joint 100 of a threaded coupling and press fit coupling may provide a user with a toolfree installation while optimizing the machining complexity for manufacturing the components of joint 100.

[0068] The term “connected” or "coupled to" may include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements).

[0069] Although terms such as “maximize”, “minimize” and “optimize” may be used in the present disclosure, it should be understood that such term may be used to refer to improvements, tuning and refinements which may not be strictly limited to maximal, minimal or optimal.

[0070] Terms such as "up to", "at least", "greater than", "less than", "more than", "or more", and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio.

[0071] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and / or" means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.

[0072] The term "about" can refer to a variation of± 5%, ± 10%, ± 20%, or± 25% of the value specified. For example, "about 50" percent can in some embodiments carry a variation from 45 to 55 percent. For integer ranges, the term "about" can include one or two integers greater than and / or less than a recited integer at each end of the range. Unless indicated otherwise herein, the term "about" is intended to include values and ranges proximate to the recited range that are equivalent in terms of the functionality of the composition, or the embodiment.

[0073] The term “substantially” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation which could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related.

[0074] Although the embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the scope. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification.

[0075] As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended embodiments are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.

[0076] As can be understood, the examples described above and illustrated are intended to be exemplary only.

[0077] The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for mounting a threaded boot onto a housing of a ball joint, the method comprising: securing the housing to the vehicle, the housing defining a cavity which receives a ball of a ball stud; coupling a first portion of the threaded boot to the ball stud, a second portion of the threaded boot comprising a first threaded portion configured to couple to a second threaded portion of the housing; coupling the first threaded portion of the threaded boot to the second threaded portion of the housing.

2. The method of claim 1 , comprising inserting the ball of the ball stud into a cavity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the threaded boot is coupled to the ball stud prior to coupling the first threaded portion of the threaded boot to the second threaded portion of the housing.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, further comprising tightening the first threaded portion to the second threaded portion to achieve a press fit between the ball stud and the threaded boot.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the tightening of the first and second threaded portion is performed by hand tightening.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the first portion of the threaded boot is press fit onto an extruding lip abutment of the ball stud.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein coupling the first threaded portion to the second threaded portion occurs by a twisting motion being exerted on the threaded boot, the first portion configured for free rotation around the ball stud.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising setting the first portion of the threaded boot onto an extruding lip abutment of the ball stud before inserting the ball of the ball stud into the cavity.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sliding the ball stud through an opening in the threaded boot before coupling the first portion of the threaded boot to the ball stud.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising aligning the ball stud to be parallel with the second threaded portion of the housing before coupling the first threaded portion to the second threaded portion.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising tightening the first and second threaded portion until the threaded boot abuts an extruding lip of the housing.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the threaded boot is mounted onto a suspension assembly of an automobile.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first threaded portion of the threaded boot comprises metal or polymer material coupled to the second portion of the threaded boot.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second portion of the threaded boot comprise a rigid material.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second portion of the threaded boot are composed of an elastomer.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the housing has a textured exterior surface.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first threaded portion and second threaded portion have a wide thread diameter and a fine thread pitch for self alignment of the threaded boot with the housing.

18. A ball joint assembly comprising:a ball joint comprising a ball fitted into a cavity defined by a housing configured to couple to a vehicle part, the ball joint further comprising a ball stud extending from the ball through an opening in the housing; a threaded boot for sealing the cavity of the housing and the ball from external contaminants, the threaded boot comprising: a first portion of the threaded boot configured to be coupled to the ball stud; and a second portion of the threaded boot opposing the first portion, the second portion comprising a first threaded portion configured to threadingly couple to a second threaded portion of the housing.

19. The ball joint assembly of claim 18, wherein the first portion of the threaded boot is configured to couple to the ball stud with a press fit coupling.

20. The ball joint assembly of claim 18, wherein the first threaded portion is positioned radially inward, and wherein the second threaded portion is positioned radially outward for coupling to the first threaded portion.

21. The ball joint assembly of any one of claim 18-20, comprising a projection member extending from the housing, the projection member positioned to abut a surface of the boot when the first threaded portion is threaded onto and overlaps with the second threaded portion.

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