Abstract: A retractor assembly and minimally invasive surgical techniques and implants. Such embodiments include techniques and implants for provision of therapy to a spine from a lateral approach. Embodiments of the invention include minimally invasive surgical techniques using one or more extended retractors to create an extended access route such as the non-limiting example of lateral access to the spine.

Abstract: An implant to separate a vertebral cut has an upper portion, lower portion, and inner member. The inner member communicates with a swivelable coupling located at each end of the inner member. Each swivelable coupling also interacts with a respective one of the upper and lower portion, within an inner bore thereof. Movement of the inner member relative to one or both of the upper and the lower portions, via one or both swivelable couplings, translates the upper portion away from the lower portion, about a vertebral cut, to widen the vertebral cut and expand the spinal canal. Swivelable action of the couplings allows angulation of the inner member, relative to a longitudinal axis of the implant, to accommodate a natural lateral shift occurring during a widening of a vertebral cut.

Abstract: A device for connecting two components, in particular a linkage of bars (38) and an engine hood (40), includes a fastening element (10) and a securing element (24) cooperating with the fastening element (10). The fastening element (10) includes a fastening section (18) for connecting the fastening element (10) with the first component and a receiving section (12) for mounting the second component. The securing element (24) includes first and second securing sections (26, 28) and is transferable to a final assembly position, in which the first securing section (26) secures the connection of the fastening element (10) with the first component and at the same time the second securing section (28) secures the mounting of the second component in the receiving section (12).

Abstract: An articulation and/or bearing device (1) with a pivot pin (2) whose head area (3), in the assembled condition, is held in a receiving joint cup (4) and, together with the latter, can move axially relative to an accommodating space that acts as a housing (5), is designed such that in relation to the axial movement of the joint cup (4) within the housing (5), the articulation or bearing device (1) acts as a gas pressure spring and/or damper.

Abstract: A positioning device includes first, second and third elements. The first element includes a cross-linked thermoplastic and the second element is non-circular and configured adjacent a first side of the first element, and configured for relative rotation with the first element about an axis. The third element is configured adjacent a second side of the first element. The first, second and third elements are configured such that a first compressive strain amount is induced on the first element while there is no relative rotation between the first and second elements and a second compressive strain amount is induced on the first element while there is relative rotation between the first element and the second element. The second compressive strain amount is at least 3 times higher than the first compressive strain amount.

Abstract: An adjustable joint for use with a microphone is provided that includes a ball and a stem connected to the ball. The ball is located within a ball housing that defines a slot that has a length that extends along a portion of a front side and an end of the ball housing. The maximum width of the slot at the end of the ball housing is different than the maximum width of the slot at the front side of the ball housing. The adjustable joint allows for reorientation of an attached microphone.

Abstract: A ball joint includes a socket housing, a stem portion, and a retaining ring. The socket housing defines a ball socket therein and a ring-shaped groove on an outer surface thereof. The ring-shaped groove surrounds the ball socket. The stem portion comprises a ball. Bumps and concaves are respectively evenly disposed on the surfaces of the ball and the ball socket. The ball rotatably fits in the ball socket. The retaining ring is fit in the ring-shaped groove for keeping the ball in the ball socket. The ball can rotate regularly and can avoid accidentally rotation.

Abstract: The present invention describes methods and apparatus to improve the operation of, and reduce the maintenance required by, a spherical bearing. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a sealed spherical bearing device including a spherical bearing and a flexible shield surrounding a portion of the spherical bearing enabled to articulate in accordance with a rotary motion of the spherical bearing and an oscillatory motion of the spherical bearing. The flexible shield is enabled to reduce the entry of contaminants into the spherical bearing while the spherical bearing is at rest and while the spherical bearing is in motion.

Abstract: A structure for a ball-and-socket joint connector is provided, including a connecting element, an encasing unit and a fastening unit. The connecting unit includes a ball-shaped connecting element at one end. The connecting element is placed inside the encasing unit to form a ball-and-socket joint structure. The fastening unit is engaged to the outer circumference of the top of the encasing unit to fasten the connecting unit and the encasing unit after the adjustment. The connecting element includes two layers of materials with different hardness. The outer layer is softer than the inner layer so as to increase the friction between the connecting element and the encasing unit after the fastening unit is applied to fasten the connecting unit and the encasing unit.

Abstract: A collapsible chair umbrella with swivel support shaft mount, the umbrella with a canopy on one end of the support shaft and a cross member on the other, the cross member with a clip on each end for selectively attaching to a chair, preferably a lawn or beach chair or the like, the chair having two upright back supports is disclosed. The cross member further comprises a ball swivel with covered, spring assisted action for pivoting the invention's umbrella about the cross member, thereby aiding in elevation, transport, and convenience of the invention.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint connection has a retaining part which has a fastening point for fixedly mounting the retaining part to a structure, and a rod part which is arranged pivotably in a pivoting-angle region in a pivoting plane via a ball-and-socket joint on the retaining part. The fastening point and the ball-and-socket joint are situated approximately in the pivoting plane and the rod part protrudes from the ball-like component out of a journal slot which extends radially to the ball seat in a sector-like or sectional manner at least corresponding to the pivoting angle and has a width at least corresponding to the thickness of the rod part to reduce a bending moment and loading on the retaining part.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fixing element for maintaining a composite glass pane. Glass components are assembled and a fixing element is provided for fixing by force or positive engagement to a support structure. The safety elements form a receiving plane.

Abstract: A mounting assembly comprises a mounting element for attachment to a surface, a cap engaged with the mounting element for angular movement relative thereto and having a slot therein through which extends an arm of a support member, there being at one end of the arm a ball which is received in a socket defined between the cap and the mounting element. A coupling nut is engagable with the mounting element so that in a first, tightened state, the nut locks the cap in its selected angular orientation relative to the mounting element, thereby retaining the arm in its selected position in the slot and the support member in its selected rotational position relative to the cap. In its second, unscrewed state, the nut allows adjustment of the cap, arm and support member correspondingly to adjust the orientation of an object mounted by the mounting assembly.

Abstract: Door Catch with a catch retaining assembly and a catch. The catch assembly is comprised of a rigid first ball retaining mounting plate, a first ball, a concave disk, a rigid J shaped rod and a second ball retaining cup shape. The catch is comprised of a door mounting plate, an L shaped rod terminating at one end in the door mounting plate and at the opposite end in a second ball. The J shaped rod terminates at its top portion in the second ball retaining cup and at the lower portion in the first ball. The first ball retaining plate includes a centrally disposed concave ball retaining portion including a vertically disposed slot capable of receiving the J shaped rod. The ball retaining cup is capable of fitting snuggly over the the second ball so that no rattling can occur between the retaining cup and the the second ball.

Abstract: A joint (1) with a joint housing (2) and with a joint shell (3) is arranged therein with a ball (4) having a pivot pin (5) protruding from the joint housing (2) and surrounded by a rubber bellows (6) with a protective cap (7). A ring (8) for holding the protective cap (7) is connected to the edge area (6a) of the rubber bellows (6). The edge area (6a) concentrically surrounds the pivot pin (5). The ring (8) has a circular bead (8b, 8c) on its annular outer side (8a) and is vulcanized into the edge area (6a) of the rubber bellows (6). The protective cap (7) is provided on its inner side (7a) with a plurality of projections (9), which can be bent from the outside through openings (10) in the protective cap (7) by means of a tool (11) radially (arrow 12) in relation to the pivot pin (5) against the bead (8b, 8c) of the ring (8) in a non-positive and positive locking manner.

Abstract: A positional arm device is a series of multiple rods connected to each other by a spherical housing and ball joint with a spring-loaded locking piston providing a multiple position holding device serving as an anchor to hold tools in a certain position, and also as a connector between two object where a certain secure fixed position between the two objects is desired. The arm device has a spherical terminal rod, a plurality of intermediate rods and a terminal housing rod connected together by a spherical housing adjustably positioned and locked by a spring-loaded piston shaft engaging a sphere end retained within the housing, the piston shaft lockingly engaging one of a multiplicity of grooved indentations on the surface of the sphere end.

Abstract: An assembly for restricting movement of the ball joint utilized in automotive vehicles and the like, comprising a socket (2), a bearing (3), an “O” ring (4), two retaining rings (5) and one protection cap (6). The bearing (3) functions to restrict movement of the ball pin to prevent the fall of the steering bar (7) of vehicles due to the fact that the bar (7) is long and curved. An o-ring (4) has a function to make the sealing between the bearing (3) and the ball pin. The retaining rings (5) serving to lock the protective cap (6) to prevent the entry of dust and other agents in the joint assembly, avoiding possible damages to the movable components of the same. The matching surfaces of the socket body and the bearing contact to limit relative movement therebetween, so that the movements of the suspension of the vehicles remain free, locking the bar in the sense of rotation around the line of action of the ball.

Abstract: A new class of spherical joints has a very large accessible full cone angle, a property which is beneficial for a wide range of applications. Despite the large cone angles, these joints move freely without singularities.

Abstract: A new class of spherical joints is disclosed. These spherical joints are capable of extremely large angular displacements (full cone angles in excess of 270°), while exhibiting no singularities or dead spots in their range of motion. These joints can improve or simplify a wide range of mechanical devices.

Abstract: A disengageable pivot connection includes a ball stud that is capable of being selectively removed from the corresponding socket. The ball stud includes an engagement head that has substantially flat faces or grooves that correspond to tabs extending from the rim of the socket into which the ball stud is engaged. To install, the ball stud is inserted into the socket such that the substantially flat faces or grooves on the head pass by the tabs extending from the rim of the socket. Then, the ball stud is rotated such that the head engages the tabs extending from the rim of the socket. Alternatively, the head of the ball stud is snap-fitted into the socket as is conventional in the art. As such, the head cannot be removed from the socket without additional rotation. The head remains free to pivot within the socket as required for the particular application. One particularly desirable application of the present invention is in automotive lamp assemblies.

Abstract: Several improvements relating to hexapods are described. The improvements relate to universal joints and ball and socket joints where two struts meet at a common focal point, two axis gimbals which are used for ballscrew drives in universal joints and a micro positioning device incorporating a hexapod structure. The universal joint (1) includes two part spheres (13, 14) connected to one strut (12) and a rotatable ring (15) connected to another strut (11). The two part spheres (13, 14) are secured together by fasteners (25) with the ring (15) secured therebetween so as to form a sphere. The ring (15) is preloaded and rotatable about a common axis (17) of the sphere.

Abstract: A shifter for a manual transmission has a lever arm extending upward from the transmission housing. The lever arm has a ball pivotable in a socket for gear selection, so that the gear shift handle can revolve about the pivot. The lever arm includes trunnions sliding in slots to prevent the lever arm from twisting. The invention offsets the axis of the trunnions from the geometric center of the ball; this offset prevents binding and allows smooth shifting. The invention may include springs for pressing the ball into the socket, adjustable stop members for limiting the throw of the lever arm, and a mounting plate and cover for holding the ball-and-socket joint together.

Abstract: A display support device for displaying flags and banners comprises a base having a cavity; a shaft attached to a rotatable member received by the cavity for rotation freely in all directions; and a clamping arrangement for clamping the rotatable member against the cavity of the base to prevent relative movement therebetween. This attachment arrangement employs a plunger, positioned for movement along the longitudinal axis of the base, which is forced out of the bottom of the base by the rotatable member pressing against the bottom wall of the cavity of the base under the action of the clamping arrangement. The plunger, when the display support device is loosely clipped or strapped to the disparate object, acts to tighten the clip or strap so as to clasp the display support device to the disparate object, regardless of the surface irregularity of the object.

Abstract: A universal joint comprises a driving gear and a driven gear each provided with a respective crown gear cluster, and a slotted casing confining the driving gear and the driven gear in meshing engagement. The casing comprises a slot through which the driven gear projects and along which the driven gear may be moved angularly from a first position in which the driving gear and driven gear are in-line, and a second position in which the driving gear and driven gear are substantially at right angles to one another. A guide element is captive on the driven gear and disposed within the casing, and rides along a channel formed in the casing. The guide element guides the driven gear in movement from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A finger joint has first and second hollow anchorage shafts (2, 3) which can be implanted in finger tubular bones with a hinge joint (4) arranged between them. The first hollow shaft (2) can be connected with a ball cage (5) of the hinge joint (4) in which a spherical part (6) is mounted, on which a protruding stem (7) is formed. This stem (7) passes through the ball cage (5), and indeed through a slit (8) provided therefor in the wall of the ball cage (5). The slit (8) in the ball cage (5) widens continuously from the point (P) at which the stem (7) passes through the ball cage (5) in the extended position of the joint (4) to the point (M) at which the stem (7) passes through the ball cage (5) in the flexed position of the joint. In this manner, additional play is allowed to the joint in the flexed position, which largely corresponds to the physiological coordinated movement of a finger joint.

Abstract: A head-lamp having an adjuster construction comprising a pivot portion and an adjusting screw portion, in which a ball joint is provided for at least one of said portions, a part of a carrying surface of the ball joint being formed of a soft elastic member which extends into the region of the ball joint.

Abstract: There is disclosed a holder with an adjusting body for displaying spectacle frames or for receiving a mounting frame for displaying spectacle frames comprising a housing on which the adjusting body is steplessly adjustable in three dimensions, for example using a clampable ball joint.

Abstract: A folding tray assembly that stores under a couch has pivoted joints on two arm members which allow for the table to be unfolded to a usable height for tasks such as eating or playing cards. The unitary joints have double axes of rotation that allow for easy opening and closing of tray assembly. One arm is a sliding rail member that retracts into a tube housing under the couch, taking the folded tray assembly out of view when not needed.

Abstract: A solar powered outdoor recreational light 10 comprising a housing 14, a lamp operatively associated with the housing 14, a solar panel 12 and a joint 20 coupling the solar panel 12 and housing 14 in articulatable relation to each other. The joint 20 is substantially at the center of gravity and rotation of the solar panel 12. The joint 20 includes a pin 28 and pin seat 30 which are cooperable with a sphere 26 and sphere seat 24b.

Abstract: An surveying apparatus for a route survey including a laser oscillator incorporated in a subjective cylinder and adapted to direct a laser beam onto a target disposed in an objective cylinder to form a laser spot on the target so as to enable the curvature of a route to be measured by analyzing deviation of the laser spot on the target. The subjective and objective cylinders are connected by a joint means disposed in the middle between the laser oscillator and the target, thereby to improve measuring accuracy and durability.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing stereotactic surgery upon a target within a skull establishes a first, predetermined geometric relationship between a positioning fixture mounted on the skull and a scanning table surface upon which the skull is supported; and that geometric relationship is duplicated in a phantom fixture.

Abstract: A body of a camera supporting device according to the present invention is provided with a grip which is shaped so as to permit a one-handed hold, and which incorporates a trigger. A shoe mounting surface is formed on the top of the body, and a shoe is mounted rotatably and detachably on the mounting surface. The shoe is fitted with a camera screw. A ball is fixed on a fixed base which is mounted on a tripod, and is rotatably housed in a cylindrical ball case. The ball case and the body are connected to each other. The ball is held beween an edge of the ball case and a ball retainer by means of the urging force of a compression coil spring. The ball retainer can be moved away from the ball, by means of a link mechanism, by squeezing the trigger, thereby permitting orientation in all directions of a camera mounted on the shoe mounting surface. The camera is locked in position when the trigger is released.

Abstract: A shift lever assembly operatively linked with a transmission, for manually operating the transmission, including a shift lever, a support, and a pair of stationary retainer plates. The shift lever has a handle portion at which the shift lever is manipulated, and a spherical coupling portion at which the shift lever is universally supported. The support consists of two halves in the form of a pair of support sheets which have respective adjoining surfaces substantially parallel to a plane in which the shift lever extends. The support sheets cooperate with each other to provide a spherical support portion which engages the spherical coupling portion of the shift lever for universally supporting the shift lever. Each support sheet has an outer surface opposite to the corresponding adjoining surface. The stationary retainer plates are disposed in spaced-part relation with each other on opposite sides of the support, so as to hold the pair of support sheets at their outer surfaces.

Abstract: A ball joint assembly having a primary ball and a primary bearing surface. The primary ball is coaxially attached to a main shaft which pivots near the point of contact between the primary ball and the primary bearing surface. The main shaft controls a coaxially connected secondary ball spaced apart from the primary ball and closely spaced from a secondary bearing surface, similar in orientation to the primary surface, so that the secondary ball floats freely at some predetermined distance from the secondary bearing surface. The secondary ball contacts a normally closed microswitch. As the primary bearing surface wears the main shaft rises bringing the secondary ball toward the secondary bearing surface and away from the microswitch. Eventually the secondary ball will contact the secondary bearing surface and the microswitch will be activated, causing a warning light to illuminate, thereby signalling wearout of the ball joint without catastrophic failure.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, use is made of the adjacent vertically arranged fuel bundles which surround the empty core position to be filled with the fuel bundle to be inserted. Such use of the adjacent bundles involves the placement upon the top tie plate of each bundle of a separate and individual centering device, each centering device being of a generally box-like cap configuration and engaging the upper tie plate of each fuel bundle. Preferably, each such centering device includes a pair of tapered dowel pins which engage apertures formed in the upper surface of the fuel assembly tie plate so that lateral forces imposed upon the centering device will be transmitted to the upper end of the fuel bundle assembly that may be bowed into the empty core position.

Abstract: The supporting arm of a cabinet hinge is adjustably mounted on a mounting plate to be attached to the supporting wall of a cabinet and has at its cabinet-internal end an open-ended longitudinal slot through which passes a screw fastening it to the mounting plate. A setscrew is threaded in a tap situated adjacent the front or outer end of the supporting arm and has at its bottom end adjacent the mounting plate a holding head in the form of a spherical body having a circumferential annular groove formed in rotational symmetry with the longitudinal axis of the setscrew. The holding head is inserted into an open-ended longitudinal groove having a narrow mouth, the cross section of the groove being substantially complementary to the cross section of the holding head in a plane in the longitudinal axis of the setscrew, so that the holding head is accommodated so as to be longitudinally displaceable in the longitudinal groove but secured against lifting out of the groove.

Abstract: A back-mirror angle adjustment assembly, wherein a mirror holder is so held by a spherical bearing as to be freely inclined, the heads of screw rods are connected to each of the two connecting portions which are crossed at right angles with respect to an inclination center at the back face of the mirror holder, and which drives the mirror holder to be inclined by way of pushing and pulling the screw rods, and both the rooms and openings of the connecting rods are formed in a rectangular shape along a radial direction centering the spherical bearing, while the heads of the screw rods in square are inserted within the rooms so as to be maintained unrotatably and at the same time movably in relation to the mirror holder.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the position of a mineral mining machine, such as a coal plough, guided for movement back and forth along a guide employs inclined piston and cylinder units coupled via ball-and-socket joints to brackets on a conveyor supporting the guide and to connectors which are pivotably connected to the conveyor. Assemblies have parallel elongate beams which are guided on roof supports and linked to the connectors. Each connector is of multi-part construction with a main skid resting on the floor of the working and connected to the conveyor and to the associated beams. A further complementary component fits onto the main skid and the parts of the connector have curved recesses which combine to form a socket for receiving a ball of the associated unit.

Abstract: A wing section equipped rod weeder implement is provided wherein the implement includes a center section and a pair of opposite side wing sections which may be swung upwardly to retracted positions for moving along roadways or through narrow fence openings. The center section rod weeder shaft is driven by a reversible variable speed hydraulic motor and the opposite ends of the center section rod weeder shaft include universal joints removably supported therefrom for selective reversed mounting on the center section rod weeder shaft ends and each universal joint defines a swivelly supported inwardly tapering threaded socket. The adjacent ends of the wing section rod weeder shafts include tapered threaded male ends removably threaded within the sockets. The threaded connections are of the non-jamming type wherein they may be readily unthreaded.

Abstract: A substantially tubular housing houses a swivel unit proximate one of its ends and a tailpiece proximate the other of its ends; with a relatively strong spring disposed therebetween to urge each unit against its respective housing end with sufficient pressure to retain each such unit as selectively positioned. A swivel seat washer is disposed between the spring and swivel; while a pair of washers, one plastic and one brass, are disposed between the spring and tailpiece. The swivel unit includes an extension with external threads and flat sides that cooperate with flat sides of an opening in the housing end and through part of the sidewall of the housing; the flat sides of the extension and of the housing opening coacting to restrict rotation of the swivel to ninety degrees of rotation about a first axis of rotation.

Abstract: A trailer hitch-mounted utility carrier for vehicles includes a carrier member having an upper wall to which vehicle accessories can be attached and a lower wall which is slotted to receive a "ball" type trailer hitch. In one embodiment, a clamping member pivotally connected to the carrier member is pivotable from a nonclamping position in which the carrier can be removed from the hitch to a clamping position in which the clamping member engages the ball to force a lower portion of the carrier into a clamped position between the ball and an underlying carrier support surface. In a second embodiment, turnbuckles exert a force between rear portions of the carrier member and underlying support to clamp a forward portion of the carrier into a clamped position between the ball and another portion of the support.

Abstract: A joint assembly has a member disposed within and movable relative to a housing from a first position through an intermediate position to a third position. A bearing member located between the movable member and the housing cooperates with the movable member and housing to provide a relatively low frictional force opposing movement of the movable member from the first position to the intermediate position. The bearing member also cooperates with the movable member and housing to provide a relatively large frictional force opposing movement of the movable member from the intermediate position to the third position. The bearing member preferably is laminated and has inner and outer surfaces formed of different materials.

Abstract: An improvement in a servovalve employing spool-valve-position feedback provided by a feedback spring, wherein the feedback spring centerline is not aligned vertically with the center line of the spool valve, comprising a receiving hole in the spool valve body and a slot in the spool for feedback spring clearance; a pin or ball rigidly attached to the feedback spring with the portions of the pin or the ball which contact the sides of the receiving hole fitting in face to face relation to the inner surface of recesses formed in the slot by the hole.

Abstract: A chair mechanism having a seat portion, a back rest and arm rests. The arm rests are individually supported on arms mounted on the seat support member. The seat back is mounted to a telescoping seat bearing column with the seat enabling joint movement. The back rest is also movable independently relative to the seat. The connection of the arm rests to the support arms and the support arms to the seat body is through the use of universal joints allowing movement in all directions. The seat bearing column rests on a circular base plate with roller sets about its periphery. With the multiple, wide angle range of adjustments which may be easily performed, the chair mechanism provides comfortable, multi-use support for its occupant.

Abstract: A head band has two ball and socket joints spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the human interocular distance, said joints including balls each of which is bored non-circularly to receive a retaining rod arranged to be passed selectively through and axially adjustable in the bore in one of said balls, said retaining rod being provided with a clamping device at its free end for receiving and clamping an endoscope.

Abstract: A dirigible wheel of an automotive vehicle has its steering axis on the vertical center line of the wheel, and a brake disc is supported with annular braking surfaces in vertical planes adjacent to the center line and are engaged by caliper type brake shoes.

Abstract: An override assembly for preventing the stoppage of an actuator member if a load bearing member jams or for allowing manual override movement of the load bearing member if it is manually moved against the movement of the actuator member. The assembly includes a plastic bushing which forms a socket for a ball member formed on the end of the actuator member and a spring clip which normally maintains the ball in the socket. If a jam occurs, the spring clip allows the socket and ball to disengage one another.