High extraction force ball socket

Abstract

A ball socket for connection with a ball stud resists accidental pull-out of the ball stud. The ball socket achieves relatively low insertion force but relatively high pull-out force resistance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A socket comprising:
 a collar;   a plurality of resilient tabs attached to and extending radially inward from the collar and terminating in ends, each end comprising a journal area extending at an angle relative to a remainder of the one of the plurality of resilient tabs, the journal area comprising:
 a first ball contact surface defining a first ball receiving opening of a diameter D; and 
 a second ball contact surface, the second ball contact surface being spaced apart from the first ball contact surface, and defining a second ball receiving opening of a diameter greater than the diameter D, wherein the second ball contact surface is spaced apart from the first ball contact surface by a transition surface; 
   at least one retention tab depending from the collar and including a cutout configured to permit the socket to be snap-fit into a hole in a sheet of material; and   a plurality of support legs depending from the collar and forming a cavity shaped to receive a spherical portion of a ball stud and allow it to pivot and rotate therein.   
     
     
         2 . The socket according to  claim 1  wherein the second ball contact surface is further away from an end of the socket adjacent the collar than the first ball contact surface. 
     
     
         3 . The socket according to  claim 2  wherein the application of a pull-out force to the ball stud when received in the cavity imparts a dual moment on each of the plurality of resilient tabs. 
     
     
         4 . The socket according to  claim 3  wherein the second ball contact surface is spaced apart from the first ball contact surface by a transition surface such that an applied pull-out force is transferred to the resilient tab through the first ball contact surface and the second ball contact surface but not through the transition surface.