US Patent 10363786 Ball socket assembly with a low friction bearing

The socket assembly includes housing with an inner bore which extends along a central axis from a closed first end to an open second end. A ball portion of a ball stud is disposed in the inner bore of the housing, and a shank portion of the ball stud projects out of the housing through the open second end. A backing bearing is disposed in the inner bore and slidably supports the ball portion of the ball stud. A roller bearing or a pair of thrust washers is disposed in the inner bore of the housing and operatively supports the backing bearing to allow low friction rotation of the backing bearing relative to the housing.