Plural Ball And Socket Patents (Class 403/56)
  • Patent number: 11878564
    Abstract: A vehicle suspension link device including a link element with a first and a second connection locus, for connection of the link element to a vehicle support structure and to a vehicle axle respectively, and a sensor element for detecting a movement of the link element, the sensor element being attached to the link element at an attachment point located on a virtual straight axis joining the first connection locus and the second connection locus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: Andrea Migliori, Sebastien David, Masatoshi Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 11826209
    Abstract: The invention relates to a holding device 020 for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications comprising: a joint between a proximal holding segment 001 and a distal holding segment 017; wherein one axially displaceable thrust element 002, 016 in each case is arranged in the holding segments 001, 017; wherein the joint has a tightening bolt, which defines the pivoting and tightening axis, and has deflection elements, by means of which a thrust force, acting relative to the axis, of the proximal thrust element 002 is deflectable to lock the joint onto the tightening axis and to displace the distal thrust element 016; and wherein the deflection elements comprise at least one ramp system with a wedge body 008. The invention further relates to a holding system comprising the specified holding device and a method for locking the joint of the specified holding device 020.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Sven Grüner
  • Patent number: 11780405
    Abstract: A vehicle alarm assembly includes a housing that is positionable in a vehicle. A communication unit is integrated into the housing and the communication unit is in remote communication with a personal electronic device and an extrinsic communication network. A plurality of motion sensors is each integrated into the housing to sense motion within a predetermined distance of the vehicle. A plurality of cameras is each integrated into the housing to visually monitor the surrounding area of the vehicle. A microphone is integrated into the housing to capture audio and a speaker is remotely positioned with respect to the housing to emit audible sound outwardly from the housing. Each of the motion sensors, the cameras and the microphone is in communication with the communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Vincent Bell
  • Patent number: 11674635
    Abstract: A support device is disclosed for supporting an object. The support device comprises a clamping member applying a compressive force against a base. A lower ball joint member is coupled to the clamping member. A sleeve remember is coupled to the lower ball joint member. An arm member slidably engages relative to the sleeve member. An upper ball joint member is coupled to the arm member. A platform is coupled to the upper ball joint member for supporting the object. The lower ball joint member defines a first pivoting non-planar adjustment. The pivot joint member defines a pivoting planar adjustment. The extension member defines an elevational adjustment. The upper ball joint member defines a second pivoting non-planar adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: ADAPTIVE CREATIONS GROUP, INC.
    Inventor: Steven N. White
  • Patent number: 11667248
    Abstract: A system for mounting an object within a vehicle. The system has a housing, a pair of rotatable objects at least partially received within a respective opposed end of the housing, a pair of locking elements within the housing and movable between a locked position in which they exert a locking force against a respective rotatable object, and an unlocked position in which the locking element does not exert the locking force against the respective rotatable object. A handle extends from the housing and is coupled to the locking elements through a rigid linkage within the housing. The handle is pivotable between an extended position in which the handle moves the pair of locking elements via the rigid linkage to the unlocked position and a locked position in which the handle moves the pair of locking elements via the rigid linkage to the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Havis, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Halonen, Stephen Telesco
  • Patent number: 11653997
    Abstract: The present application provides a docking device, a surgical holding device having such a docking device, and a method for connecting a surgical instrument to a holding arm of a surgical holding device. The docking device has a two-part adapter device connected at a proximal end to the holding arm and at a distal end to the surgical instrument, a first adapter with an elongated portion with a longitudinal axis and a connecting body present at a distal end of the first adapter, and a first engagement element with a terminal connection surface. The adapter device has a second adapter on the shaft of the surgical instrument and an engagement element facing the terminal connection surface in the docking situation. The terminal connection surface of the first adapter is inclined at a predetermined first angle in relation to its longitudinal axis, which is in a range from 30° to 90°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: KARL STORZ SE & CO. KG
    Inventors: Yaokun Zhang, Kirsten Klein, Johannes Fallert
  • Patent number: 11653951
    Abstract: An external orthopedic fixation device. The external orthopedic device includes a radius fixing member, a metacarpus fixing member, and a coupling member. The radius fixing member is configured to be secured to a radius bone of a patient. The metacarpus fixing member is configured to be secured to a metacarpus bone of the patient. The coupling member is disposed between the radius fixing member and the metacarpus fixing member. The coupling member is configured to connect the radius fixing member and the metacarpus fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ali Moradi, Morteza Moradi, Ehsan Vahedi, Saeed Kermani, Mohammad Hossein Ebrahimzadeh, Nahid Mojaver, Fatemeh Salehi
  • Patent number: 11622833
    Abstract: A holding device for human-medicine or veterinary-medicine applications having: a joint between a proximal holding segment and a distal holding segment; wherein one axially displaceable thrust element, in each case is arranged in the holding segments; wherein the joint has a tightening bolt, which defines the pivoting and tightening axis, and has deflection elements, by means of which a thrust force, acting relative to the axis, of the proximal thrust element is deflectable to lock the joint onto the tightening axis and to displace the distal thrust element; and wherein the deflection elements include at least one ramp system with a wedge body. A holding system including the specified holding device and a method for locking the joint of the specified holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Sven Grüner
  • Patent number: 11549627
    Abstract: A system may include a manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets, a first pump truck having a first pump disposed thereon with a first fluid outlet, and a first flexible pipe. The first flexible pipe may include a first end of the first flexible pipe coupled to a first of the plurality of fluid inlets, a second end of the first flexible pipe is coupled to the first fluid outlet, and a first outer shell mounted on the manifold. The first outer shell may extend from the manifold a length between the first end and the second end. Additionally, the first outer shell may be curved to have a radius to arch the first flexible pipe from the manifold to the first pump truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James Cook, Corey Massey
  • Patent number: 11513425
    Abstract: A camera built into a cylindrical housing couples to a stand with a stand member that inserts into an opening having a magnet attracted to ferromagnetic material integrated in the stand member. The stand member holds the ferromagnetic material in an adapter interior that integrates a tilt hinge rotationally coupled to the stand member and fixedly coupled to the ferromagnetic material to provide tilt of the camera relative to the stand member about a rotation axis internal to the camera when the stand member adapter inserts in to the camera housing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Peng Lip Goh, Celia Law, Deeder Aurongzeb
  • Patent number: 11327265
    Abstract: A clamp assembly includes a first clamp half-piece and a second clamp half-piece. In one example, the clamp half-pieces are identically shaped. In one example, each of the clamp half-pieces has at least one integral pin and at least one aperture. The first and second clamp half-pieces are pivotally connected to each other via a first snap-fit interface in which the integral pin of the first clamp half-piece snap-fits into the at least one aperture of the second clamp half-piece. The clamp assembly can also include a link arm connected to the first clamp half-piece via a second snap-fit interface. A lever arm can also be included that is pivotally connected to the link arm via a third snap-fit interface. The clamp assembly does not require separate link pins or other parts and only includes four components: the clamp half-pieces, the link arm, and the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
    Inventors: Thierry Janssens, Robert Vanhentenrijk, Kurt Cornelissen, Thomas Dietvorst, James Richard, Peter Jerome Istas
  • Patent number: 10875572
    Abstract: A connecting tube for connecting two joint attachments of a steering or track rod. The connecting tube is reinforced by at least one tube section connected by friction force to the connecting tube such that either the entire outer or inside wall the tube section is in contact against a wall of the connecting tube, thereby forming a press fit connection. The steering or the track rod has a connecting tube with end sections that each hold or support components of joint attachments. A method for producing a connecting tube or the steering or the track rod in which first a tube semifabricate of the tube section is positioned within a tube semifabricate of the connecting tube and then the two tube semifabricates are expanded within a connection zone by a mandrel with an oversized section that is moved along the common axial direction of the two tube semifabricates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Günter Reddehase, Jens Eismann
  • Patent number: 10761286
    Abstract: A clamp assembly includes a first clamp half-piece and a second clamp half-piece. In one example, the clamp half-pieces are identically shaped. In one example, each of the clamp half-pieces has at least one integral pin and at least one aperture. The first and second clamp half-pieces are pivotally connected to each other via a first snap-fit interface in which the integral pin of the first clamp half-piece snap-fits into the at least one aperture of the second clamp half-piece. The clamp assembly can also include a link arm connected to the first clamp half-piece via a second snap-fit interface. A lever arm can also be included that is pivotally connected to the link arm via a third snap-fit interface. The clamp assembly does not require separate link pins or other parts and only includes four components: the clamp half-pieces, the link arm, and the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA
    Inventors: Thierry Janssens, Robert Vanhentenrijk, Kurt Cornelissen, Thomas Dietvorst, James Richard, Peter Jerome Istas
  • Patent number: 10695186
    Abstract: The glenohumeral component of the invention comprises a first side and a second side, which are opposite each other and which, in an implanted state in which the glenohumeral component is free-floating with respect to a humerus and a glenoid of a human shoulder, are in contact respectively with an end portion of the humerus and with a glenoid component intended to be secured to the glenoid. The first side of the glenohumeral component includes a convex articular surface that is designed to articulate with a concave bone surface prepared within the end portion of the humerus. The second side of the glenohumeral component includes a concave articular surface that is designed to articulate with a convex articular surface of the glenoid component. The corresponding shoulder prosthesis is thus reversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Tornier
    Inventors: Philippe Collin, Pierric Deransart
  • Patent number: 10247211
    Abstract: A device comprising a plurality of hollow units (11), each unit comprising a circumferential wall (12) having a first end region (5) and a second end region (13), wherein the first end region is narrower than the second end region and the plurality of units are in an interconnected arrangement, such that the first end region of a first unit (14) of the plurality of units is received within the second end region of a second unit (15) of the plurality of units, and a flexible elongate member (3) extends longitudinally through the interconnected units, whereby the circumferential walls of the interconnected first and second units abut each other and the interconnected units are secured together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventor: Angus Norman Whitty
  • Patent number: 10186792
    Abstract: At least one exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus comprising: (a) a plug component at a first end of a cord; (b) an outlet component at a second, opposite end of the cord; and (c) a gooseneck component that encloses at least a portion of the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: QUIRKY IP LICENSING LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Niels Riesgaard, Jessica Fugler, Jordan Diatlo, Nicholas Oxley, Faris Elmasu
  • Patent number: 10038829
    Abstract: A directionally adjustable mounting device is disclosed for use with a small electronic device such as a wireless camera. Also disclosed is a method of using the mounting device. The mounting device has a mounting rod extending from a rotatable bearing. The hearing is biased into frictional contact with a socket by a spring to inhibit movement of the camera relative to the mount housing. The mount is configured to receive an opposing force on the bearing to overcome the spring force and allow the electronic device to be repositioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Netgear, Inc.
    Inventor: William Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10022237
    Abstract: An implant assembly for re-establishing a glenohumeral joint between a scapula and humerus. A first receiver is adapted to being mounted to a reconditioned glenoid cavity defined in the scapula, with a second receiver adapted to being mounted to a reconditioned humeral head associated with the humerus. A three dimensional and at least partially spherical shaped component is interposed between the first and second receivers for establishing each of a first articulating surface with the first receiver and a rotating interface with the second receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 9750538
    Abstract: An external fixing device for the treatment of bone fractures includes a first member, a second member, a central body arranged between the first member and the second member, a first ball joint for the articulated connection of the first member with the central body, a second ball joint for the articulated connection of the second member with the central body, locking means operatively associated to the first ball joint and with the second ball joint, respectively, the locking means being suitable for allowing/preventing the articulation of the first member and second member with respect to the central body, wherein the first member includes a first clamp, the second member includes a second clamp and the central body includes a third clamp for connection of the external fixing device to respective fractured bone portions to be treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: TECRES S.P.A.
    Inventors: Renzo Soffiatti, Giovanni Faccioli, Bruno Magnan
  • Patent number: 9700334
    Abstract: Articulating mechanisms, link systems, and components thereof, useful for a variety of purposes including, but not limited to, the remote manipulation of instruments such as surgical or diagnostic instruments or tools, are provided. The link systems include links wherein torque can be transferred between at least two adjacent links while allowing for pivoting motion between the links. Mechanisms for preventing undesired lateral movement of links relative to one another are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron D. Hinman, David J. Danitz
  • Patent number: 9700418
    Abstract: A hip prosthesis includes a stem intended to be inserted in the neck of the femur, a prosthetic head shaped as a substantially hemispherical cup, intended to be inserted in the acetabular seat, a distal prosthetic component connected to the stem and shaped as a substantially hemispherical cup with concavity towards the concavity of the prosthetic head, and a ball disposed between the distal prosthetic component and the prosthetic head in such manner to generate a ball coupling, wherein the prosthetic head includes a flattened pole that defines an external central flat planar surface in order to adjust to various shapes of the acetabular seat, grooves externally obtained to be coupled with the acetabular seat and holes to receive screws that are screwed into the acetabular seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Alessandro Melozzi
  • Patent number: 9415520
    Abstract: A robotic end of arm tooling system including a robotic arm having an end, and at least one swivel link assembly attached to the robotic arm. The swivel link assembly includes a flexible ball base connected to the end of the robotic arm, and a knuckle joint defining at least one adjustable axis. The flexible ball base is able to swivel relative to the adjustable axis. An adapter has a proximal end and a distal end, with the proximal end connected to the flexible ball base, and an end-effector connected to the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Swivel-Link, LLC
    Inventors: Roger W. Sanders, Anthony R. Nighswander
  • Patent number: 9004799
    Abstract: The Self-Assembly System is composed of a series of units that take an external force that activates an individual state in each unit and sequentially folds/rotates/expands to form a rigid 3-dimensional structure. The system self-assembles from a flexible linear chain or 2-dimensional grid pattern into a rigid 3-dimensional structure, simply by adding an external energy source. The mechanism and placement of each unit provides the sequence of fold angles that is activated by external energy. When the system is assembled, unit-by-unit, or pre-manufactured as a single linked strand, the user is actually “programming” the folding sequence, much like our body's protein strands, that take external energy and fold in a 3-dimensional structure. This demonstrates that structures can be built from 1-dimensional or 2-dimensional flexible geometry and self-assemble into 3-dimensional rigid geometry without manual assembly or construction, simply through an external means of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Inventor: Skylar Tibbits
  • Publication number: 20140294485
    Abstract: A joint assembly for a crash test dummy includes a first joint member for connection to a first member of the crash test dummy. The joint assembly also includes a first ball member received by the first joint member. The joint assembly includes a second ball member spaced from the first ball member. The joint assembly also includes a second joint member for connection to a second member of the crash test dummy. The second joint member receives the second ball member and is operatively connected to the first joint member. The joint assembly further includes an adjustable member operatively cooperating with the first ball member and the second ball member to move the first ball member and the second ball member toward and away from each other to adjust a friction tightness of the joint assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph P. McInnis, Zhenwen J. Wang, Nicholas M. Kloppenborg, Joseph Q. Gibbs, Leonard M. Benfant, Scott Lane
  • Patent number: 8740160
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Daymen US, Inc.
    Inventor: Joeben Bevirt
  • Publication number: 20140086666
    Abstract: One example of a ball and socket joint for a device enclosure includes a ball member configured to facilitate connection to an electronic equipment. The ball member includes a first portion, and a second portion configured to mate with the first portion to form a passage to pass one or more cables for connection to the electronic equipment. The ball and socket joint also comprises a socket comprising a hollow portion configured to receive the ball member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Lilitab LLC
    Inventors: Bryan Rudolf Grziwok, Adam Scott Aronson
  • Patent number: 8608120
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint assembly includes a stationary object, a movable object, and a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus has first and second rigid link sections, each link section having an upper socket section and a lower socket section, so that an upper receiving space is defined by the two upper socket sections and a lower receiving space is defined by the two lower socket sections. The assembly further includes an upper coupler having an upper ball that is received for rotation inside the upper receiving space, with the movable object secured to the upper coupler, and a lower coupler having a lower ball that is received for rotation inside the lower receiving space, with the stationary object secured to the lower coupler. A link member secures the link sections together with the upper ball retained inside the upper receiving space, and with the lower ball retained inside the lower receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Adaptiv Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Chen, Adam Gold
  • Patent number: 8602662
    Abstract: A camera and accessories clamping mount that includes an assembly of ball and socket members rotatably and moveably interconnectable having an anterior end and a posterior end, a top connector disposed atop the anterior end and a bottom connector disposed on the posterior end, wherein the bottom connector is releasably attachable to a clamp, said clamp attachable to an extant surface, and an extant camera, or other accessory device having a ¼-20? female thread mount, is releasably attachable to the top connector, whereby said camera or other accessory device is supportable and positionable through a range of positions by means of the assembly of ball and socket members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Inventor: John Mans
  • Patent number: 8595907
    Abstract: The necklace clasp fastener for a string of beads consists of a male bead member, and a female bead member, that do not have any visible loop or eyelets for assembling and holding a string of beads together when the male and female bead members are snapped together. The resulting bead configured clasp is almost undetectable from the outside of the beaded necklace which creates an unbroken, unified string of beads for a much more aesthetic and beautiful piece of jewelry. The improved clasp of the invention provides a safety feature to guard against breakage. The two parts are designed to snap together with enough force to hold the necklace on the wearer under normal wear and use. If, however, the necklace catches on to something, the clasp will release easily from the wearer instead of breaking the necklace, and releasing the beads all over the place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Katz, Timothy John Lambert
  • Patent number: 8534951
    Abstract: A joint unit comprises a lock mechanism in which a ball-like joint section provided at the base end of an arm is housed in a holder formed at an end of a cylindrical case. As the joint section is brought into pressed contact against an inner surface of the holder, the lock mechanism locks a pivotal angle. In the lock mechanism, in response to a manual operation of a knob, a bolt is caused to project into the case and this pressing force is transmitted to a roller-like first pressing body and then to a second pressing body placed in contact therewith. Further, the pressing force from the first pressing body is transmitted to a pressure block and then the pressing force from this pressure block brings the joint section into pressed contact against the holder inner surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Big Alpha Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Masayuki Doi, Manabu Komine
  • Patent number: 8366064
    Abstract: A ball-and-socket joint assembly includes a stationary object, a movable object, and a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus has first and second rigid link sections, each link section having an upper socket section and a lower socket section, so that an upper receiving space is defined by the two upper socket sections and a lower receiving space is defined by the two lower socket sections. The assembly further includes an upper coupler having an upper ball that is received for rotation inside the upper receiving space, with the movable object secured to the upper coupler, and a lower coupler having a lower ball that is received for rotation inside the lower receiving space, with the stationary object secured to the lower coupler. A link member secures the link sections together with the upper ball retained inside the upper receiving space, and with the lower ball retained inside the lower receiving space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Adaptiv Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Wayne Chen, Adam Gold
  • Patent number: 8353608
    Abstract: A holding hole of a holding body has an edge portion and an inner peripheral surface which is a concavely curved surface connected to the edge portion. In a light source unit which supports a light source, projections are formed at three locations, and each of front surfaces thereof has a convexly curved line having a curvature radius longer than that of the inner peripheral surface. When the light source unit is inserted into the holding hole, the front surfaces of the projections at the three locations are brought into point contact with the edge portion at contact portions on the convexly curved lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Someno, Toshiaki Konno
  • Patent number: 8230863
    Abstract: A medical assembly includes a platform which is securely mountable to an operating room fixture, and a plurality of arms or arm modules coupled to the platform and each with a grasper for holding a surgical instrument or port. The medical assembly is particularly applicable for laparoscopic surgery although it is not limited thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Mini-Lap Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sundaram Ravikumar, H. Allan Alward, Steven J. Wysocki, Guy L. Osborne
  • Patent number: 8157238
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a stay device for a vehicle comprising a mount having a ball formed protrudely on a front surface thereof and a wire passage formed therein and extended into the ball; a body coupled to the mount through the ball of the mount, the body having a wire passage formed therein; a plate spring provided for pressurizing the body; a body cover for wrapping the body and the plate spring; and a pivot ball assembly having a ball protrudely formed on a rear surface thereof, the pivot ball assembly being coupled to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: SMR Patents S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Kyung Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 7993069
    Abstract: A double ball joint device comprises a housing, a first joint element having a first ball mounted in the housing, and a first shaft attached to a portion of the first ball protruding through an opening in the housing, and a second joint element having a second ball, which is mounted similar to the first ball and is provided with a corresponding second shaft. A locking washer is arranged between the first and second balls and has a first seat for receiving the first ball, and an opposite second seat for receiving the second ball. An operation member is operable between a released state, where the joint elements are pivotable, and a locked state, where it urges the locking washer to clamp lock the joint elements in a current position. When moving the operation member to the locked state it urges the washer to an off-centre position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Zirkona Sweden AB
    Inventor: Martin Persson
  • Publication number: 20110142532
    Abstract: A strut for the exhaust nozzle for a turbine engine includes a rod having a body member which has two opposite ends, a first rod end at one end and a second rod end at the other end. Each rod end defines a mounting aperture having an interior surface, and there is a ball member disposed in the mounting aperture to form a spherical plain bearing. At least one of the spherical plain bearings spherical bearing does not include an outer ring. At least one ball member may be made by molding, compacting, and sintering powdered chromium-cobalt alloy into an unfinished ball member, machining the unfinished ball member using wire EDM to provide a machined ball member, and jig grinding a chamfer onto the machined ball member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: ROLLER BEARING COMPANY OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Bulent Diemirbey
  • Patent number: 7891615
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards ball and socket joint connectors which, when interconnected, form a flexible assembly. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors are designed and constructed such that the interference fit of the ball and socket causes creep in the material resulting in more even frictions in the various ball and socket joints. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint connectors utilize an over-molded strip around the outside of the connector to facilitate in their use for gripping. In an exemplary embodiment utilizing the aforementioned ball and socket joint connectors, a tripod apparatus uses legs comprising the ball and socket joint connectors for support and for gripping objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Joby Photo, Inc.
    Inventor: Joeben Bevirt
  • Patent number: 7766207
    Abstract: An articulating surgical stapler having a proximal end and a distal end includes a handle at the proximal end and an end effector at the distal end for selective articulation to improve access to tissue requiring treatment and ease of use of the present linear surgical stapler. A support shaft connects the handle to the end effector. An articulation mechanism is positioned between the support shaft and the end effector permitting selective movement of the end effector relative to the support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Mather, Michael L. Kruszynski, Richard F. Schwemberger, Michael A. Parker
  • Patent number: 7748669
    Abstract: An adjustable holding frame mainly includes a first bar, a second bar and an adjusting means. The second bar has one end fastened to a lump element which is pivotally located in the adjusting means. The adjusting means is mounted onto the first bar and has a helical structure to adjust the position of a seat in the adjusting means. Thereby releasing or fastening of the lump element of the second bar can be controlled to adjust the posture condition of the holding frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kun-Yen Lu, Rui-Lin Wang
  • Patent number: 7736307
    Abstract: Surgical devices for stabilizing the heart are disclosed which facilitate anastomosis under beating heart conditions. Various instruments or devices may be maneuvered and secured on a retractor device to provide stabilization of the heart. An instrument mount is provided which is preferably configured to accept a surgical instrument, such as a tissue stabilizer, and to allow the instrument to be easily maneuvered to a desired position and subsequently locked into position with a simple operation of a single locking actuator. Further disclosed are stabilizer devices each having at least one surface for contacting the heart and each being adapted to be mounted to the retractor while having the ability to be positioned in the desired location against the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Maquet Cardiovascular LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence W. Hu, David J. Paul, Eugene Edward Reis, Harry Leonard Green, II, Joshua K. Wallin, Morejohn P. Dwight, Charles S. Taylor, Gary B. Weller, Richard M. Ferrari
  • Publication number: 20100034579
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicants: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD, HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: MENG-HUA HE, GANG CHENG, CHUN-CHE YEN, YU-TAO CHEN, TE-SHENG JAN
  • Patent number: 7607854
    Abstract: A variable angle standoff in accordance with an implementation of the present invention includes one or more bearing interfaces, which, in concert with other beveled components (e.g., beveled rings), fastens about a wide range of panel and/or object dimensions. In one implementation, a threaded fastener is inserted through a first bearing interface, which interfaces with a first beveled ring. The threaded fastener further threads through one or more panel and/or object eyelets, through a second beveled ring, through a second bearing interface, and ultimately into a standoff shaft. Despite relatively tight fastening of the threaded fastener to the standoff shaft, the first and second beveled rings can accommodate object curvature by rotating in any of an X, Y, and/or Z dimension, as needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Talley Goodson, William Gatti
  • Patent number: 7603820
    Abstract: A glass pane connector comprises a pane holding assembly, a positioning assembly, a supporting assembly connecting the pane holding assembly and the positioning assembly, and at least one pivot assembly serving to changing an angle where the supporting assembly connects the pane holding assembly and the positioning assembly. The glass pane connector serves to position a glass pane at a predetermined installation site or to connect glass panes into a glass curtain wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Taiwan Dali Aurora Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chun Hung Lai
  • Publication number: 20090202291
    Abstract: A plastic rocker pendulum is provided with a rod-shaped basic body (1) and mounting elements (2, 3) arranged at the free ends of the basic body (1) for the ball heads of ball pins. The cross section of the basic body (1) has an essentially S-shaped design with at least three crossbars (5, 6, 7) arranged in parallel at spaced locations from one another and connection webs (8, 9) coupling two adjacent crossbars (5, 6, 7) each. The connection webs (8, 9) are arranged at opposite end areas of the crossbars (5, 6, 7). The geometrical moment of inertia can be substantially increased compared to conventional cross sections due to this cross section shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Frank Budde
  • Patent number: 7542650
    Abstract: A telecommunications infrastructure includes first and second trough members for routing signal-carrying fibers. A coupler is used to releasably couple the first and second trough members together. The coupler includes a first pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the first trough member to the coupler, and a second pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the second trough member to the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Telect Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Ellison, James Patrick Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7481827
    Abstract: A Linking Transconnector is disclosed for coupling a first longitudinal spinal rod to a second longitudinal spinal rod. The Linking Transconnector generally includes a pair of hook engaging members for engaging the longitudinal spinal rods, a lateral rod for spanning a distance between the hook engaging members, and a locking element which interconnects the hook engaging members with the lateral rod. The locking element being configured to allow for multiple degrees of adjustment to permit the Linking Transconnector to accommodate for varying spinal rod alignments. The locking element also permits the location of the lateral rod to be fixed relative to the hook engaging members once the desired position of the lateral rod with respect to the longitudinal spinal rods has been achieved. The locking element may also be able to fix the position of the lateral rod with respect to the hook engaging members by a force applied to the locking element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Christopher J. Ryan, Thomas R. Keyer, Martin Walther
  • Patent number: 7473048
    Abstract: The coupling apparatus for structural members includes a paired couplers for coupling structural members with each other, and each coupler includes a cylindrical main body, engaging projections spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction at an end of the body and projecting along the center line of the body, and engaging hooks projecting in one circumferential direction at the projecting end portions of the projections. At least one coupler further includes a coupling direction changing mechanism which couples the at least one coupler with a predetermined position of a structural member corresponding thereto so that the center line of the body of the at least one coupler can be orientated in a desired direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Sakura Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nakamura, Akira Horimoto
  • Patent number: 7384209
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Stabilus GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Muders, Frank Born, Wilhelm Schwab, Andre Stein, Rolf Mintgen
  • Patent number: 7163181
    Abstract: A magnetic mounting assembly for securely attaching a positionable object to be variably fixed in a desired selected position to a support, for universally moving the positionable object to the desired selected position, and for holding the positionable object in that position during operation is provided, including a positioning element with a ball that is attached to the positionable object. A support element includes a socket configured to movably engage the ball. One of either the ball or socket includes a magnetic material and the other includes a magnetically attractive material to hold the ball in the socket by magnetic as well as frictional forces. An adjustment collar controls the axial movement of the ball to increase or decrease the magnetic force holding the ball in the socket. This mounting assembly is particularly useful for supporting a camera on a tripod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Justin T. Omps
  • Patent number: 7118601
    Abstract: There are provided an artificial joint device that can realize an artificial limb enabling twisting motion without a drive source, and when with the drive source, reduce the size and costs of the device, and a parallel linkage that can realize the device. The linkage connects a foot portion and a mounting plate spaced from each other. A fixed link has one end fixed to the plate, and the other end connected to the foot portion via a ball joint, making the angle of the fixed link relative to the foot portion changeable in any direction. Expansible links extend between the foot portion and the plate in an expansible/contractible manner and each have opposite ends connected to the plate and the foot portion via respective upper and lower ball joints, making respective angles thereof relative to the foot portion and the plate changeable in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Yasui, Hiroshi Kiyomoto, Isao Usukura, Youichi Nakahara, Haruyuki Iwasaki, Shungo Umeda, Kazunori Yamamoto, Masamitsu Shiono, Kazuo Okada, Manabu Nakayama, Atsushi Kubo