Patents Assigned to John Madocks
  • Patent number: 4949927
    Abstract: Presented is a method and apparatus for incrementally varying the frictional forces along an articulable column having succesive joints formed of alternate ball and socket members. Friction is varied by varying the contact angle between said ball and socket members along the length of the column and by supplying a compressive force to said joints via a tensioned means throughout the column. The effect of varying the frictional forces along the column is to vary the stiffness of individual column joints creating a structural member which can be tailored to the load requirements of a specific application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: John Madocks
    Inventors: John E. Madocks, Thomas M. Young