Rod Ends

The first integral rod end was invented by an RBC division named Heim Bearings. The rod end is also referred to as the Heim Joint named after the inventor Lewis Heim who founded the Heim Bearing Company. While spherical plain bearings offer misalignment capability in a fixed housing position; rod ends offer ease in mounting and adjustment of position in installations such as mechanisms, linkages, and control rods. Rod ends also provide a compact, lightweight, economical design alternative to a conventional housing installation. Today, rod ends, or Heim joints, can be found throughout industry in aircraft, helicopters, jet engines, military vehicles, submarines and surface ships, transportation equipment, agricultural and recreational vehicles, lawn and garden equipment, material handling, and fluid power applications.