Abstract: The disclosure discloses a universal supporting mechanism, comprising a lifting platform for fixing lifting equipment and a connecting seat, and further comprising a universal ball head fixedly connected with the lifting platform, with the universal ball head movably connected with the connecting seat via a connector. The disclosure does not need to be adjusted separately by two or more angle adjustment mechanisms, the angle adjustment can be achieved in one step, the structure is simple, and the application range is wide.

Abstract: A multi-axis firearm foregrip which is highly adjustable and which enables a firearm to be held or supported in a position which is ergonomic for the user or appropriate for use of the firearm. The foregrip may be rapidly adjusted to a selected one of many different positions as deemed appropriate by the user to enable optimal use of the firearm. The foregrip comprises a mount, a handle and a joint. The mount may be engageable to the firearm, for example to a rail system of the firearm. The handle is adjacent to the mount. The joint engages the handle to the mount and allows for handle movement relative to the mount. In embodiments, the foregrip utilizes a ball-and-socket joint which enables swiveling movement of the handle relative to the mount providing a wide range of handle adjustment before the handle is held at the selected position by the foregrip.

Abstract: There are provided a liquid jet head and a liquid jet recording device capable of enhancing the reliability. A liquid jet head according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a liquid jet section from which liquid is jetted, an electronic control section electrically connected to the liquid jet section, a main protective member adapted to cover a periphery of the electronic control section, a connection section attached to the electronic control section and adapted to electrically connect an outside of the liquid jet head and the electronic control section to each other, and a connection section protective member configured so as to make a state transition between a protection state of covering the connection section and an exposure state of exposing the connection section.

Abstract: A medical device for implantation in a hip joint of a patient; the hip joint having a caput femur integrated with a collum femur having a collum and caput center axis, extending longitudinal along the collum and caput femur, in the center thereof. The medical device comprises an elongated portion adapted to at least partially replace the collum femur, wherein said elongated portion is adapted to be at least one of integrated in and connected to a prosthetic spherical portion adapted to replace the caput femur, and wherein said prosthetic spherical portion in turn is adapted to be movably placed in a prosthetic replacement for the acetabulum having at least one extending portion for clasping said prosthetic spherical portion. Said elongated portion comprises a restricting portion adapted to restrict the motion range of the spherical portion in relation to said prosthetic replacement for the acetabulum.

Abstract: A joint assembly (1) with a joint ball (4) through which an axle body (12; 112; 212; 312) extends. The joint ball (4) is mounted in and able to rotate relative to a housing (5) that at least partially surrounds the joint ball (4) and/or one or more support rings (6) with a rubber-elastic intermediate layer (7). The joint assembly (1) is designed so that the axle body (12; 112; 212; 312) can rotate within the joint ball (4).

Abstract: The spherical joint with internal brake has a controlled actuator that selectively brakes relative motion between interior members and an outer shell of the spherical ball joint. A shaft extending from the internal members can be stopped at any rotational position relative to the shell. The internal members may include a central spherical sectioned member sandwiched by a pair of symmetrically opposed peripheral spherical sectioned members, which selectively act as brakes when an actuator in the central member is energized. The energized actuator has a dual piston that pushes outwardly on the pair of opposed peripheral segments, which increases friction between the peripheral segments and an interior wall of the spherical shell to brake the system. The shaft extends from the central spherical sectioned member through an aperture in the shell. The size of the shell aperture determines the range of rotational motion of the shaft.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a rotating member having a pivotal portion received in a compartment defined by a peripheral wall at an end of a base. The rotating member includes a coupling portion and an interconnecting portion between the pivotal portion and the coupling portion. The interconnecting portion has a minimum diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the pivotal portion but not smaller than a width of the coupling portion. A groove extends through the pivotal portion. A pin is extended through the peripheral wall of the base and the groove. The pivotal portion is pivotable relative to the base through an angle in the order of 90°.

Abstract: A sliding torque between a pivot portion and a fitting portion may be preferably secured. In an inner mirror device, pivot portions are arranged on both end portions in an axis line direction of a stay formed by a resin material. One pivot portion is fitted in a fitting hole of a holder main body, and the other pivot portion is fitted in a fitting hole of a device main body. In this manner, the holder and the device main body are connected to each other through the stay. In this case, plural notches are formed in the pivot portions, and outside dimensions of the pivot portions may be elastically expanded and reduced. A metal spring pin is pressed into the stay, and the spring pin biases the pivots in a dimension-expansion direction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pedicle screw-based dynamic posterior stabilization system that is used to stabilize the segments of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral spine as an adjunct to, or in place of, conventional spinal fusion using bone grafts. The system includes a plurality of pedicle screws, each of the plurality of pedicle screws including a head portion, and the head portion of each of the plurality of pedicle screws forming a first half of a joint that allows relative pivoting movement about the head portion of each of the plurality of pedicle screws and up-and-down movement with respect to the head portion of each of the plurality of pedicle screws. The system also includes a stabilization body coupled to the plurality of pedicle screws, the stabilization body including a plurality of end portions, and the end portions of the stabilization body forming a plurality of second halves of the joints formed by the head portion of each of the plurality of pedicle screws.

Abstract: A universal joint includes a rotating member having a pivotal portion received in a compartment defined by a peripheral wall at an end of a base. The rotating member includes a coupling portion and an interconnecting portion between the pivotal portion and the coupling portion. The interconnecting portion has a minimum diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of the pivotal portion but not smaller than a width of the coupling portion. A groove extends through the pivotal portion. A pin is extended through the peripheral wall of the base and the groove. The pivotal portion is pivotable relative to the base through an angle in the order of 90°.

Abstract: An implement capable of being attached to a power machine having a mounting portion and a tool portion. The mounting portion is configured to engage with, and be secured to, an implement carrier on the power machine. The tool portion is capable of performing a work function. The implement has a joint for attaching the tool portion to the mounting portion and an actuator having first and second ends with the first end attached to the mounting portion at a first actuator attachment point and second end attached to the tool portion at a second actuator attachment point. The tool portion is capable of rotating about an axis that extends through the joint. The joint is capable of pivoting so that the axis about which the tool portion rotates is rotatable with respect to the tool portion.

Abstract: An articulating mechanism is provided with at least one pair of spherical joints interconnected by a set of tension members. Each joint includes a ball member, a socket member configured to pivotably receive at least a portion of the ball member, and at least one tension member extending through both the ball and socket members parallel to and offset from a central longitudinal axis of the joint.

Abstract: A device for a ball-and-socket-type connection of two members includes a first member having a head and a second member having a cavity that receives the head. The cross-sectional surface of the cavity is tapered at the lower end of the second member as a result of a constriction. The head and/or cavity is configured spherically with a center of articulation (Z). The ball-and-socket-type connection between the two members can be detachably fixed by means of a clamping element that can be connected to the second member. The head has a recess in which the front end of the clamping element can rest. The recess and/or the front end has an at least partially spherical surface with a center (C). In the clamped position of the device, the center of articulation (Z) and the center (C) are identical.

Abstract: A multi-articular intramedullary fracture fixation device having a adjustable modulus of rigidity. The implant apparatus includes modular tensioning elements that can be disposed in a ball-and-socket linear array along a length of connecting wire within a medullary canal. The connecting wire includes a threaded end and a stop member at the opposite end, and when a lock nut is threadably disposed on the threaded end and tightened, at least two of the tensioning elements in the array may be swiveled relative to one another and arranged to introduce curvature as desired along the length of the array. Tightening the lock nut is also employed to adjust the modulus of rigidity to be retained during healing.

Abstract: The assembly comprises a fixed fork (10) of which the lugs (22, 30) support a rod (60) onto which a spherical ball is slipped (46) about which a cage (44) and a support (42), of the part which is mobile in rotation, swivel. The maintaining of the axial and angular positions of the spherical ball (46) in the fork is ensured, in particular, by a tight fit (A3) which replaces conventional screw and nut systems positioned at the end of the rod and which project disadvantageously. According to the invention, a pair of planar facets which are opposing and in abutment (including 23) carry out a blocking of one of the assembly pieces in rotation. Application to bell cranks for the transmission of movement, in particular in aircraft engines.

Abstract: An exemplary rotatable joint (100) used for a mechanical device includes a socket (10), a rotatable arm (20), a supporting shaft (13), a fastening member (15), an adjusting member (16), and a resilient module (18). A pivot hole (212) is defined in the rotatable arm. The supporting shaft includes a first shaft portion (130) and a second shaft portion (132). A threaded hole (131) is defined in the first shaft portion and the first shaft portion extends through the pivot hole. The second shaft portion is fixed to the socket. The fastening member includes a threaded portion (152) for engaging in the threaded hole of the supporting shaft. The adjusting member is disposed at the threaded portion of the fastening member. The resilient module is disposed between the rotatable arm and the adjusting member for providing an axial resilient force. The axial resilient force is fine tuned by moving the adjusting member.

Abstract: A joint unit such as for mounting the vehicle control arm of a motor vehicle, is provided with a control arm-side housing (1), in which a pivot pin (2) is mounted pivotably by means of a spheroidal bearing surface (3), wherein the joint unit has a securing unit against the separation of the housing (1) from the pivot pin (2). The securing unit includes a securing bolt (9), arranged within the pivot pin (2) essentially in parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the pivot pin (2) and with a blocking element (12) at a free end. A securing mount (13) is located within the housing (1) or the pivot pin (2) and in this the blocking element (12) is mounted in a contactless manner in the mounted state of the joint unit. The securing mount (13) is part of the securing unit, and the securing bolt (9) is fixed to the component of the joint unit (housing (1) or pivot pin (2)) that is not provided with the securing mount (13).

Abstract: This invention presents a device for connecting two or more actuating cables. The device includes a housing, within which a bullet mount of a core wire of a first cable receives an end bullet of a core wire of a second cable. The device also includes a biasing mechanism for biasing the core wire of the first cable and the core wire of the second cable away from each other so that the core wires can be kept tensioned so as to function as a single core wire.

Abstract: A universal joint component is used for connecting two members, such as a reflector and a lamp body. The universal joint component includes a shaft, an installation section formed on one end of the shaft, and a spherical head formed on the other end of the shaft. The spherical head includes a joint base, a top end, and at least one gap formed on a side of the spherical head between the top end and the joining base. The gap is formed of a groove or through hole so as to straddle a phantom line substantially passing through a center of the spherical head and perpendicularly intersecting a shaft axis of the shaft. Split head sections are defined by the at least one gap so that the split head sections flexibly deform when the spherical head is inserted into a spherical socket.

Abstract: Adjustable prostheses and related methods provide a wide range of adjustment along or about multiple axes. The prostheses and related methods make possible a straightforward, yet robust way of securing, e.g., a humeral head prosthesis in a desired position and maintaining the prosthesis in the desired position during use.

Abstract: A device for a ball-and-socket-type connection of two members includes a first member having a head and a second member having a cavity that receives the head. The cross-sectional surface of the cavity is tapered at the lower end of the second member as a result of a constriction. The head and/or cavity is configured spherically with a center of articulation (Z). The ball-and-socket-type connection between the two members can be detachably fixed by a clamping element that can be connected to the second member. The head has a recess in which the front end of the clamping element can rest. The recess and/or the front end has an at least partially spherical surface with a centre (C). In the clamped position of the device, the center of articulation (Z) and the centre (C) are identical.

Abstract: A joint for the movable connection of two components of a motor vehicle, which are movable in relation to one another, with a housing (1) and with a bearing shell (2) accommodated in the housing (1) for the slidingly movable mounting of a mount body (3) is presented, wherein the mount body (3) has a bearing surface (4) curved complementarily to the bearing shell inner surface and passes over at least on one side into a pin neck (5), which has a connection area (6) for connection to a bearing journal (7).

Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint, especially a wheel guide joint for motor vehicles is provided with a housing (1), in the cavity (2) of which, which is open on at least one side, a bearing shell (3) is inserted with a joint ball (4) mounted therein. The bearing shell (3) forms a assembly unit (3,4) together with the joint ball (4) accommodated therein. The assembly unit is displaceable in the cavity (2) along a axis (6). A first collar (7) and a second collar (8), between which a limited free path (5) of the displaceable assembly unit (3, 4) is defined, form end stops in the cavity (2) of the housing (1). The bearing shell (3) is a accomodated in the cavity (2) under a slight radial pretension and at least one compensating element (15) is arranged between the bearing shell (3) and the inner surface of the cavity (2).

Abstract: The present invention provides a microphone support which includes a restriction groove 520 between a universal ball 50 and a mounting member 70 in order to restrict the rotating angle range of the universal ball 50 rotating with the axis line of a pipe through-hole 510 centered, so that the direction axis L of a microphone is restricted to have a designated swinging angle range with the talker side of the microphone centered. Therefore, no breaking wire by wire-twists is generated, and since the microphone is prevented from facing to loudspeakers owing to careless handling, no howling is also generated.

Abstract: A ball-joint connection for a braking system comprising a male element (2) and a female element (4). A first end (14) of the male element (2) includes pegs (30,30?) that are automatically radially extracted when the first end (14) is mounted in a female element (4) defined by a housing (16). The pegs (30,30?) collaborate with the interior surface (18) of the housing (16,66) to define a ball-joint connection between the male element (2) and the female element (4). The female element (4) being formed on one end of a piston (66) of for a master cylinder and the male element (2) forms the actuating rod of the master cylinder.

Abstract: An adjustable locking mount system permits rotation about at least one of x, y, and z axes. Methods provide for rotating and rocking the mount to obtain the desired position, fixing the mount in the desired position, and mounting an object onto the mount.

Abstract: Lubrication device for a ball joint bearing block. The device comprises at least one reservoir grease (30), a pump (34) capable of circulating grease between the reservoir and at least one bearing block lubrication groove (28), and a system (36) designed to actuate the pump (34) at every rotation movement of a hinge pin (16) of the bearing block. Preferably, there is a first groove (28) between the cage (24) and the ball (22) of the ball joint, and a second groove between the ball (22) and the hinge pin (16). Each rotation of the hinge pin (16) thus alternately controls injection of grease into one of the two grooves. One preferred application is lubrication of the hinge pins of aircraft landing gear.

Abstract: Adjustable prostheses and related methods provide a wide range of adjustment along or about multiple axes. The prostheses and related methods make possible a straightforward, yet robust way of securing, e.g., a humeral head prosthesis in a desired position and maintaining the prosthesis in the desired position during use.

Abstract: An adjustable locking mount system permits rotation about at least one of x, y, and z axes. Methods provide for rotating and rocking the mount to obtain the desired position, fixing the mount in the desired position, and mounting an object onto the mount.

Abstract: A device for blocking first and second components (1, 2) relative to one another may be provided with first and second parts (3, 4) capable of cooperating with one another in order to effect the blocking, the first part (3) being carried by the first component (1) and being provided with a duct (15) and the second part (4) being carried by the second component (2) and being provided with a blocking finger (24) capable of being introduced frictionally into the duct (15). The first part (3) may have a first pivot system (8) with a pivot (10) that can rotate relative to the first component (1); the duct may be formed by a diametral conduit (15) pierced in the pivot (10) of the first pivot system (8); and the second part (4) may include a second pivot system (23) with which the blocking finger (24) is integral so as to be capable of tilting relative to the second component (2).

Abstract: A device for use with a hinge in which two rigid elements (104, 105) may be placed in various relative angular positions, wherein the elongate part (109) to be protected and guided consists of a section or tube inserted through two mutually facing channels (111, 110) in respective ones of the rigid elements (104, 105). The device includes a movable member (107) arranged between said rigid elements (104, 105) and at least rotatably movable about a rotational axis of said hinge. The member further includes a hole (108) through which said elongate part (109) may inserted.

Abstract: A heavy equipment apparatus such as a feller buncher includes a mobile tilting undercarriage and a working upper that supports a boom and its working end portion. The undercarriage includes a frame and a deck with a spaced apart, generally parallel powered endless tracks for moving the undercarriage from one location to the other. A tower assembly is mounted on the deck of the frame and has a ball support rigidly attached thereto to define a rigid support with the frame. An upper is movably mounted to the undercarriage at the ball support with a tilting connection that enables the upper to tilt with respect to the undercarriage. A rotary bearing attached to the bottom of the upper enables the upper to rotate with respect to the undercarriage. A flange assembly forms the interface between the rotary bearing and the ball support. Extensible cylinders extend between the undercarriage and the flange assembly for articulating the upper relative to the undercarriage during use.

Abstract: A connector assembly connects two rails to a T-post. The connector assembly includes a first and second connector configured to receive the rails, and a mounting member attached to the T-post for pivotally mounting the first and second connectors to the T-post about a plurality of axes. The connector assembly includes a locking mechanism for interlocking the first and second connector with the mounting member. The connector assembly also includes a lock for securing the mounting member to the T-post.

Abstract: A shielded universal joint having a pivot head defining a primary axis. The pivot head has a ball and a neck. The ball has a longitudinal slot. The slot has a throat at the center of the ball. The imperfect socket head is provided having a socket and a pin. The socket defines a secondary axis. The socket has a cavity concentric with the secondary axis. The cavity closely receives the ball. The socket has a continuous margin. The pin is joined to the socket in spaced relation to the margin. The pin extends through the passage. The pin defines a first pivot axis extending longitudinally through the pin. The pin and the throat define a second pivot axis extending through the throat and the pin perpendicularly to the first pivot axis. The socket head is simultaneously pivotal relative to the ball about both of the pivot axes.

Abstract: A toothbrush structure having a head which may be removably attached to a handle at any one of a plurality of operative positions wherein such operative positions are defined by a first, substantially straightline orientation between the handle and the head and a remainder of said operative positions are defined by various angular orientations of said head and handle to accomplish the best angle of approach of the bristles mounted on the head to the teeth being cleaned by the brush in the user's mouth.

Abstract: A flexible joint mechanism comprises male and female joint members for joining a microphone pole to a base member. The male joint member has a substantially spherical end surface. The female joint member has a dish-shaped end surface for receiving the spherical end surface. The dish-shaped and spherical end surfaces are held together in sliding engagement by a spring or the like. A detent is interposed between the dish-shaped and spherical end surfaces for releasably holding the joint members in a vertically aligned position following movement thereof into the aligned position.

Abstract: A connection arrangement for a mirror back supporting plate and a mirror support member in a mirror case for an automobile outer mirror assembly comprises a connecting portion of the mirror back supporting plate being held between a connecting portion of the mirror support member and a clutch member and these members being connected to each other by a connecting member. The connecting member extends through a through-hole of the clutch member and also through a through-hole of the mirror back supporting plate. After being passed through the through-holes, the connecting member is rotated 90 degrees about its axis so that it is mounted to the mirror back supporting plate. Therefore, the mirror back supporting plate and the mirror supporting member can be easily connected together.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror for a motor vehicle has a housing mounted on a base member by means of a ball-and-socket joint comprising a socket formed in the base member and a convex member attached to the housing. The socket comprises the concave inner surface of a hollow part-spherical member. An arm has a concave surface formed on one end and adapted to engage with the convex outer surface of the part-spherical member. Resilient means are arranged to bias the arm towards the convex member so as to urge the concave surface on the arm against the convex outer surface of the part-spherical member and to urge the concave inner surface of the part-spherical member against the convex member, and release means on the other end of the arm are operable to reduce the friction resisting movement of the housing relative to the base member about the part-spherical member. Operation of the release means thus enables the orientation of the housing relative to the base member to be adjusted with relatively little effort.

Abstract: A swivel bellows assembly designed to be mounted within a valve housing to provide self-alignment with a valve opening. The bellows assembly comprises a mounting element having a central opening surrounded by a depending, contoured skirt, or wall, a bellows unit having a central contoured well which receives said skirt or wall, and a retainer disc or cup which confines said skirt or wall within said well to permit relative angular adjustment of the bellows unit.

Abstract: A tiltable mount comprises a stationary base member or base and a support member or support for supporting equipment thereon. The support is movably mounted to the base to enable the support to tilt omnidirectionally relative to the base while remaining rotationless relative to a vertical axis through the base. The base and support have mating spherical surfaces, with the concave spherical surface of the base including a guide shaft and the convex spherical surface of the support including a conical aperture for receiving the shaft. The shaft and aperture form a pivotable connection between the two members. A lock for maintaining a selected tilt to the support comprises the guide shaft and a lever attached to the shaft to press the support against the base sufficiently to prevent relative movement therebetween. The lever is threadedly attached to the guide shaft and may include a nut assembly having a nut and a lever arm removably mated to the nut assembly for repeated rotary movement of the nut.

Abstract: A ball and socket mount (13) for supporting the housing (11) of a light source and/or detector device is disclosed. The ball and socket mount (13) includes: a ball (23) affixed to one end of the housing (11); and, a socket formed by a collar that surrounds the ball. The collar comprises two identical U-shaped pieces (31a and 31b). When joined, the two collar pieces (31a and 31b) define an aperture having a spherical inner surface that mates with the spherical outer surface of the ball (23). The ball (23) includes a circumferential groove (29) oriented so as to be surrounded by the collar. A pair of mounting bolts (39) pass through the aligned holes in the collar pieces and the groove. The width of the groove (29) is substantially greater than the diameter of the bolts (39). As a result, the ball (23) and, thus, the photoelectric device is alignable in three dimensions when the bolts are loose. Specifically, the groove ( 29) allows rotation through 360.degree.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis composed of a first member constituting a prosthesis socket provided interiorly with a chamber presenting a receiving surface, a second member constituting a prosthesis head arranged to be inserted into the socket to be received in the chamber and presenting a surface engaging the receiving surface when the head is received in the chamber, and a shaft firmly connected to the head. The head is arranged to be inserted into the socket by insertion movement, relative to the socket, from an insertion position to an inserted position, and to be rotated, relative to the socket, between the inserted position and an installed state.

Abstract: This invention relates to a coupling of the ball-and-socket joint type between two objects. Connected to the one object, which may be a driver's seat in a working vehicle is a joint socket and a joint ball with a gap between them. Connected to the other object, which may consist of a base for a driver's seat, for example, is a coupling element in the form of a spherical shell disposed in the gap between the joint socket and the joint ball. The latter are pressed towards one another by means of powerful cup springs so that the spherical shell is locked firmly and the two objects are thus located in relation to one another. The grip of the spring force can be cancelled by means of a tightening element connected to the joint ball, as a result of which the coupling becomes movable again so that new positions can be adopted. The coupling can be used in various connections where it is desired to adjust two objects in relation to one another simply, securely and quickly.

Abstract: A collapsible and lockable hinge joint for elongated members such as a fishing rod. The embodiment disclosed utilizes a unitary, flexible, non-elastic hinge formed of polypropylene which is slotted into ferrules which are attached to adjacent segments of the rod. The junction is preferably completed with the use of a flexible coupling sleeve which slides over the joint. In this manner the entire rod is flexible when in use and does not contain a dead spot at the joint. For use as a fishing rod the segments of the rod can be folded together and clipped for easy storage and transportation.

Abstract: This orthopedic appliance for correcting a wide variety of lower extremity deformities comprises: a bar which is scored so that it can be broken to provide a bar of a desired length; lockable articulated joints at both ends of the bar; releasable clips for rapidly attaching and detaching the articulated joints to and from the bottom of the patient's shoes; index markings allowing the articulated joints to be accurately adjusted and locked in the desired position; nesting extension attachments; and stabilizer rods for maintaining plantar or dorsi flexion and insuring that the device is not defeated by bending the knees.Included in the appliance is a lockable articulated joint utilizing a hollow spherical member clamped between a spherical socket and a spherical locking member.

Abstract: The invention relates to an above sea-level platform, for use as, for example, an oil-rig, which is connected to a sea-bed foundation by a ball-joint arrangement. For protection, the ball joint is hollow and partially received in a recess at the lower end of a tubular extension of the platform through which an oil conduit leads from the foundation via the hollow ball joint, the two parts of which are held in sealing abutment by a draw member.

Abstract: In a brake for bicycles including brake shoes having brake blocks and secured by a threaded fastening member to brake arches so that the brake blocks are engageable with and disengageable from the rim of a wheel, a device for adjustably or shiftably supporting the brake shoe on the brake arch. A convex portion and a concave seat for receiving the convex portion are provided between the brake shoe and the brake arch, such that when the fastening member securing the brake shoe to the brake arch is loosened, the brake shoe is shiftable to position the brake block properly with respect to the wheel rim by virtue of cooperation of the convex portion and the concave seat. After the brake shoe has been adjusted to place, the fastening member is tightened up, whereby the brake shoe is fastened to the brake arch, with the concave portion and the seat fitted together face-to-face.

Abstract: A ball-and-socket type connection particularly intended for interconnecting a prop and a roof bar or floor rail of a mine roof support assembly. The connection has a socket formed on the bar or rail and a ball part formed on the prop. The socket part has a curvilinear inner wall portion which receives the ball part and a rectilinear frusto-conical outer wall portion which widens outwardly of the socket part to form a mouth. The ball part has a bore or recesses which receives a securing means which may be a onepiece or multi-part elongate structure. The securing means extends into the socket part to engage with the bore or recesses in the socket part and lies alongside the outer wall portion of the socket part. The securing means is detachably connected to the bar or rail in a position readily accessible from the side adjoining the mouth of the socket part when the connection is in use.