Articulate Joint Is Ball And Socket Patents (Class 403/76)
  • Patent number: 11773897
    Abstract: A ball joint assembly includes a stud member connectable to a first vehicle suspension component and a cup member connectable to a second vehicle suspension component. The stud member includes a shaft portion defining a longitudinal axis, and a ball portion extending longitudinally from one end of the stud. The cup member is a two-piece cup comprising a cup base and a cup cap, with the two pieces being connected to hold the stud ball therebetween. The cup base has castle teeth, and the cup cap may have holes for set screws that interlock with the castle teeth to allow adjustment of the tightness of the ball and cup and to lock the ball into position in the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Super ATV, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Keller
  • Patent number: 9427259
    Abstract: A system includes a first fixation component, a second fixation component, and a first fastener. The first fixation component includes a first pivot structure including a first engagement surface and a first engagement feature, and can support one or more first clamping devices that secure bone pins inserted within a first bone. The second fixation component includes a second pivot structure including a second engagement surface configured to engage the first engagement surface, and is configured to support one or more second clamping devices that secure bone pins inserted within a second bone. The first fastener is configured to couple the first pivot structure to the second pivot structure and includes a first fastening element including a second engagement feature configured to engage the first engagement feature to maintain a first angle between a first axis of the first fixation element and a second axis of the second fixation element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: FOOT INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Roy W. Sanders, Sergio Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 9212666
    Abstract: A metal annular casing (16) for a turbine engine compressor, the casing having at least one annular row of radial chimneys for receiving outer cylindrical pivots of variable-pitch vanes, together with an outer cylindrical centering track (28) that is continuous or interrupted and against which runners carried by an annular ring for controlling the pitch of the vanes are to come to bear, the casing being characterized in that the track is formed by blocks (30) of plastics material fitted onto the casing and that are fastened or held on the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Aude Abadie
  • Patent number: 9084044
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a main unit having a first housing with a groove and a speaker having a second housing and an adjusting rod. The groove has a limiting section and a stop portion receiving section, a minimum width of which is greater than that of the limiting section. The adjusting rod has a rod body extending through the limiting section, and a stop portion received in and rotatable relative to the stop portion receiving section and having an outer diameter greater than the minimum width of the limiting section. Through the cooperation of the adjusting rod and the groove, the speaker is multi-directionally adjustable relative to the main unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Hsih-Shuay Chen, Ting-Yao Cheng, Kuei-Yuan Chung, Yao-Wei Wang
  • Publication number: 20150060628
    Abstract: A socket joint for a mirror assembly having a first concave portion receiving a support tube that attaches to the vehicle. A pair of anchors disposed in the first concave portion extend through openings in the support tube. The anchors project outwardly from the first concave portion into the support tube. Each anchor engages an interior surface of the support tube. A fastener engages each anchor from a front side of the socket joint to clamp the support tube between the anchor and first concave portion. A central connecting post extends outward from the front side of the socket joint for cooperating with various assembly components to pivotally mount a mirror head. A second concave portion is disposed around the central connecting post which receives a complementary convex portion of the mirror head housing so that the housing can pivot on the second concave portion around the central connecting post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Rolf Reitz de Swardt, Alexandre Petroff, Andreas Enz
  • Publication number: 20150016866
    Abstract: An assembly for enabling multi-adjustment of a lamp is provided. The assembly includes a frame to which the lamp is attachable, a ball joint, and an apparatus for retaining the ball joint. The ball joint has a head and a neck. The apparatus is attached to the frame, and includes a housing and a cap. The housing defines a chamber configured to receive the head of the ball joint. The housing may further define a slot in which the neck is slidable such that the ball joint is insertable into and removable from the chamber. The cap is configured to interlock with the housing to secure the ball joint such that they are substantially restricted to rotational movement with respect to each other. The cap and the housing may have retention tabs and retention ridges, respectively, configured to engage with each other to enable the interlocking.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Larry E. Wainscott, Mark Roscoe, Mark R. Gordon
  • Publication number: 20150008628
    Abstract: Described is a compensator (1) for unbalanced compression forces for press machines (100), comprising: a first body (20) having a first concave coupling surface (21) and a first end portion (22) opposite the first coupling surface (21); a second body (30) having a second convex coupling surface (31) and a second end portion (32) opposite the second coupling surface (31), the first (21) and second (31) coupling surfaces being geometrically coupled to each other in such a way as to allow a relative rotational movement between the first body (20) and the second body (30). More specifically, an end portion (22, 32) of at least one of the bodies (20, 30) is configured for being fixed to a structural element (101) of a press machine (100), the end portion (32, 22) of the other body (30, 20) being configured for forming an abutment surface designed to interact, in use, with a free end (402) of a stem (401) of a gas cylinder (400) of a press machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Alberto BORDIGNON, Simone BORDIGNON
  • Patent number: 8910914
    Abstract: A mount that is useful for mounting electronics equipment such as audio or video equipment such as a microphone or a camera in a desired orientation has first and second interconnected body members that retain a swivel adapter that is movable in a ball and socket swivel joint relative to the body members. The body members rotated on threaded connections to thereby adjust the tightness of the swivel adaptor retained between the body members. A stop prevents inadvertent disassembly of the assembled mounting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Audix Corporation
    Inventor: Fred Bigeh
  • Patent number: 8851785
    Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in a motor vehicle steering or suspension system includes a ball joint having a housing defining an axis and a chamber having an open end. A bearing is disposed in the chamber. A ball stud having a ball portion is supported within the chamber by the bearing and a stud portion extends outwardly from the open end of the chamber. A retainer having a mounting portion is secured to the housing to retain the bearing in the chamber and an opening is formed therein through which the stud portion extends. The retainer is stamped and has a central portion configured with a dome shaped surface which extends over the open end of the chamber and is shaped complimentary to the ball portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Mark Belleau, Mike Holierhoek
  • Publication number: 20140270907
    Abstract: A connecting element for connecting two components includes a socket part provided for connecting to a first component, into which socket part is inserted a spherical element. From the spherical element, a function element projects which is provided for connecting to a second component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Johann van NIEKERK
  • Patent number: 8753031
    Abstract: A holding device for medical instruments with a bracket on which at least one medical instrument can be affixed and with at least one joint to position the bracket and/or the medical instrument, so that the at least one joint is configured as a ball and socket joint that is equipped with at least one bearing shell and one pivot ball and whose pivot angle around the longitudinal axis of the joint is restricted by a pivot guard. The pivot guard is positioned inside the pivot ball to provide a holding device for medical instruments whose pivot guard allows for a compact structure of the ball and socket joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jochen Stefan, Uwe Bacher
  • Patent number: 8684783
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mannequin having one or more articulated joints capable of exhibiting a full range of motion and of supporting substantial weight. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus for movably joining two parts of a mannequin. The apparatus includes a first element having an arcuate surface and a second element having a convex surface and a magnetic portion. The second element is movably engageable with the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Anna Ehrsam
  • Publication number: 20130216298
    Abstract: A method for producing a chassis component. The method comprising process steps of forming a joint holder (15) in a structural component (3); inserting a joint cartridge (5) into the joint holder (15); assembling the joint cartridge (5) to form a joint (2); solidly connecting the structural component (3) to the joint cartridge (5) by welding; and covering the weld zone (18), formed during the welding step, by a sealing bellows (8).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Jekel, Frank Nachbar, Hauke Frenzel, Ignacio Lobo Casanova, Andreas Temmen, Christian Stelter
  • Patent number: 8424823
    Abstract: A stand, especially a floor stand, with a movable arm with an attachment section provided at the end of the arm for an object to be held by means of the stand, especially an imaging device in the form of an ultrasound head, with the attachment section being supported movably on the arm via a ball-and-socket joint comprising a ball head carrying the attachment section and a head holder supporting the ball head on the arm side, with a locking device being provided for releasable locking of the ball head (32) in its adopted position in the head holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Fadler, Paul Weidner, Satchi Panda
  • Patent number: 8419309
    Abstract: A pivoting ball mount provides four essentially equal and (generally) evenly spaced constraints on the ball, creating a ball and socket joint in which the “socket” is composed of four small constraining pads of equal size and equally spaced around the surface of the ball or sphere. If a sphere is constrained by four equidistant points, each point will exert the same amount of force on the sphere. If additional pressure is applied to one point, the pressure exerted by the other points will rise to match this increased pressure. The effect of constraining a smooth ball by four equidistant points is to create the equivalent of a ball and socket joint in which the force required to rotate the ball at a particular rate is about the same in any direction. The ball is constrained by four equidistant points such that the relative movement between the ball and housing is smooth and predictable in any direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Wimberley, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Wimberley
  • Patent number: 8413398
    Abstract: Ball pivot assemblies for mounting panels to a cable regardless of panel geometry or orientation include a ball pivot. The ball pivot includes geometry configured to enable a panel to pivot about the ball pivot in a plurality of orientations in a plurality of planes with respect to the cable. One or more implementations of the present invention can include a ball socket configured to receive the ball pivot, and provide a secure interface between the ball pivot assembly and the panel. Also, systems of at least one implementation of the present invention include a plurality of panels mounted to one or more cables using one or more ball pivot assemblies. In addition, one or more implementations of the present invention include methods of mounting panels using one or more ball pivot assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: 3form, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles B. Allred, Brian Hillstrom, Guillaume Martin, Jeremy Porter
  • Patent number: 8388253
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjustably coupling a threaded linkage rod to an arm of a fuel valve, air valve, air damper, damper blade assembly, or actuator that can include a sleeve, a collar, and a lock restraining axial movement of the collar with respect to the sleeve. The sleeve may include an inside threaded wall defining a sleeve bore axially receiving the linkage rod. The collar may include (i) a collar body having a collar bore axially receiving the sleeve and (ii) an about radial extension for engagement with the arm of the fuel valve, air damper, or actuator. Rotation of the sleeve causes axial movement of the sleeve, and thus the collar locked thereto, along the linkage rod. Fine position adjustments can be made to the position of the radial extension, and thus the arm of the fuel valve, air damper, or actuator engaged thereto, with respect to the linkage rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Kenneth Rae McClelland
  • 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: 8079151
    Abstract: A pruning hook includes a handle unit, an adjusting unit mounted on the handle unit and a cutting unit mounted on the adjusting unit. The adjusting unit includes a support member mounted on the handle unit, a fastening member releasably mounted on the support member and an adjusting member having a first end provided with an adjusting ball rotatably mounted between the support member and the fastening member and a second end provided with a locking tube connected with the cutting unit. Thus, the adjusting ball of the adjusting member is rotatable and movable between the support member and the fastening member so as to adjust the angle and position of the cutting unit relative to the handle unit in a spherical and three-dimensional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Chi-Tung Chen
  • Patent number: 8033748
    Abstract: An arrangement for the articulated connection of wagons of a multiple-element vehicle with the aid of joint having spherical bearing faces, wherein comprising a radial pivoting bearing having an inner ring with a convexly curved spherical bearing face and an outer ring with a concavely curved spherical bearing face, the radial pivoting bearing being installed with a vertical bearing axis Z and the inner ring and the outer ring each being held by one connecting construction, the bearing of asymmetric configuration, the inner ring and the outer ring being arranged offset with respect to one another in the direction of the bearing axis Z, and, that in relation to a center point (M) of the inner ring, the bearing faces are larger in the direction of a negative Z axis extending downwards from the center point along the bearing axis, than the bearing faces in the direction of a positive Z axis extending upwards from the center point along the bearing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Andreas Krome
  • Patent number: 7868309
    Abstract: In a radiation detecting system including a first electrode which is imparted with a positive bias and permeable to a recording electromagnetic wave carrying thereon image information, a recording photoconductive layer which generates electric charges in response to receipt of projection of the recording electromagnetic wave, an organic polymer layer provided between the first electrode and the recording photoconductive layer, and a second electrode which is provided on the side of the recording photoconductive layer opposite to a side where the first electrode is provided and being for recording the image information by storing electric charges generated in the recording photoconductive layer upon projection of the recording electromagnetic wave, the organic polymer layer includes a hole blocking material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventor: Fumito Nariyuki
  • Patent number: 7857727
    Abstract: A concentric joint mechanism includes a frame, a flexible spherical body, a first friction wheel, a first power device, and a fixing device. The flexible spherical body is disposed inside the frame. The first friction wheel is disposed inside the frame and abuts against the flexible spherical body for driving the flexible spherical body to rotate in a first direction. The first power device is connected to the first friction wheel for providing power to the first friction wheel. The fixing device is connected to the frame and abuts against the flexible spherical body for fixing the flexible spherical body inside the frame together with the first friction wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Micro-Star Int'l Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bi-Jang Rung
  • Publication number: 20100247232
    Abstract: A two-section tool joint comprises a support member including a polygonal ball knob disposed on one end thereof; an acting head including a receiving chamber fixed on end thereof, and on a side wall of the receiving chamber being arranged a plurality of raised rims in response to the ball knob; a limiting structure defined between the support member and the acting head so that the ball knob of the support member is limited in the receiving chamber and moves between a first and a second positions; wherein the raised rims are longitudinally defined on a side wall of the receiving chamber and spaced apart equally from each other, the number of the raised rims is in response to that of the angles of the ball knob, and each raised rim is provided with a convex arc contacting surface so that the support member rotates with the acting head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Hsiu-Nien Lin
  • Patent number: 7802940
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint assembly comprises a housing having an interior socket and an exterior surface at least partially knurled for press fit into a mating first suspension part, such as a control arm. A ball is rotatably seated within the socket to provide an articulating joint. A mounting shank extends from the ball, outwardly from the housing, for attaching to a second suspension component, such as a suspended wheel. The housing, together with its knurls, is formed in a forging tool. As distinguished from the prior art technique of machining, knurls formed in the forging process allow economical, high-volume production. In addition, the forging technique allows greater design flexibility to place knurls in surface configurations and with longitudinal profiles and non-uniform shapes previously unattainable or impractical with conventional machining techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc
    Inventor: Glen C. Parker
  • Publication number: 20100196085
    Abstract: A ball joint structure is disclosed, which includes a socket with a containing opening, a ball disposed in the socket, a cover disposed at the containing opening, a protrusion disposed at an outer surface of the ball, a concavity disposed at an inner surface of the socket, and plural adjustable elastic screws screwed on the socket. The protrusion is moved in the concavity when the ball is rotated in the socket. The ball is gripped in the socket with a force provided by the adjustable elastic screws.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: A VerMedia Information, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Hung Hsia, Chen-Cheng Lee, Yo-Jung Wang
  • Patent number: 7762735
    Abstract: An apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention includes a socket having at least three ball support points to constrain a ball, and a yoke rotatably coupled to the socket, the yoke having an axis of rotation that intersects the ball when the ball is positioned in the socket, the yoke rotatable to a closed position in which the yoke captures the ball in the socket, and the yoke rotatable to an open position in which the yoke does not capture the ball in the socket. According to some embodiments, the yoke is biased in the closed position such as, for example, by a spring. The yoke may be rotationally coupled to the socket at one or more locations, and the axis of rotation may intersect the ball when the ball is in the socket either through the center of the ball or at an off-center location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Cedar Mesa Design Company, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Brittin Clayton, III, Richard Adams
  • Publication number: 20100158602
    Abstract: In an earloop headset or earphone or other ear-mounted audio device, a housing is attached to an earloop by providing a ball and complementary socket arrangement between the earloop and a pivot post secured to the housing. The earloop or pivot post are made of an elastomeric material to allow the earloop and pivot post to each be made of a single piece of material and be clipped into engagement after manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: PLANTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Barry J Lee
  • Publication number: 20100109274
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Andre Diener, Reinhard Richter
  • Patent number: 7640617
    Abstract: A cleaning device including a cleaning member and a handle connected to the cleaning member. The handle includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a ball member and the second member includes a socket. The ball member being disposed in the socket to couple the first member and the second member and enable the second member to pivot with respect to the first member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Helen of Troy Limited
    Inventors: Brook Kennedy, Richard Whitehall, Davin Stowell, Boris Kontorvich
  • Patent number: 7600940
    Abstract: A ball joint includes a housing extending between open and closed ends. The housing has a cavity with a cylindrical wall extending from adjacent the closed end to an annular flange adjacent the open end. A stud extends into the cavity. An inner bearing element has a bore configured to slide relative to the stud and an outer bearing surface. An outer bearing element is configured to slide relative to the housing and has an inner bearing surface for pivotal movement with the inner bearing element outer bearing surface. An annular cup is disposed between the closed end of the housing and the outer bearing element. The cup can slide relative to the housing and has a bore allowing axial movement of the stud. A spring member imparts an axial bias force on the cup and imparts a preload between the outer bearing element and the inner bearing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Federal Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Byrnes, Roger G. Sellers, George R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20090202292
    Abstract: A multiple position ball stud assembly for a closure strut supporting a closure pivotally attached adjacent to an opening, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The ball stud assembly may comprise a ball stud and a ball stud actuator. The ball stud may have a socket portion mounted on a closure lift assist strut and a guide pin extending from the socket portion. The ball stud actuator assembly may include a housing, a guide for receiving the guide pin, and an actuator for moving the guide pin along the guide to thereby cause the ball stud to move relative to the housing. The multiple position ball stud assembly may also include a control assembly that engages the actuator for selectively causing the actuator to move the guide pin along the guide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: James H. Shoemaker, Mark W. Ruesink, Hitesh R. Desai, Andrew G. Fox, Scott W. Thorpe, Paul R. Meernik
  • Publication number: 20090136288
    Abstract: A ball and socket joint is provided for a motor vehicle that has a joint housing (1), in the interior space of which a ball shell (2) is arranged. The ball (3) of a ball pivot (4) is accommodated in the ball shell (2). A sensor device (7), for measuring forces and loads, is arranged on a flexurally elastic printed circuit board (6). The printed circuit board is fastened in the joint housing (1) in a flexurally mobile manner. The sensor device (7) measures deflections and mechanical stresses of the sensor printed circuit board (6). A transmission device introduces forces or a bending moments into the sensor printed circuit board (6) in case of a deformation of the ball shell (2). The process makes possible the permanent determination of the state of wear of the ball and socket joint via measurement of the prestressing force of the ball shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Metin Ersoy, Joachim Spratte, Michael Klank, Peter Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7497638
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method includes a socket having a substantially spherical inner contour being accessible via an opening. A member having a partial spherical shape substantially similar to the spherical inner contour. A cross-sectional profile of the member is adapted to pass through the opening into the socket and to remain uncoupled with the socket when the socket and the member are in a first relative orientation. The member is further adapted to couple with the socket when the member is in the socket and in a second relative orientation with the socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gregory A. Tubbs, Stephen L. Scown
  • Publication number: 20080304902
    Abstract: An improved ball joint for use in such a motor vehicle steering or suspension system comprises a socket shell having a pair of openings; a bearing disposed in the socket shell; a first ball stud portion and a second ball stud portion disposed in the socket shell, the first ball stud portion defining a first bearing surface and the second stud portion defining a second bearing surface; and ball stud disposed between the bearing and the first and second ball stud portions, the ball stud having an inner surface seated on the first bearing surface of the first ball stud portion and the second bearing surface of the second ball stud portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Tomasz Buchner, Swaminathan Krishnan
  • Patent number: 7455271
    Abstract: A speaker mount includes a support structure attachment, an adjustable mount connected to the structure attachment and including a first connector, and a speaker attachment including a second connector. The first and second connectors may selectively be connected or disconnected, permitting a speaker to be connected to and disconnected from the remainder of the mount. The first connector is mounted to a ball. A lock plate is mounted at an opposing side of the ball from the first connector. A fastener controls the distance between the first connector and the lock plate. In one position, the fastener draws the lock plate and first connector towards one another, fixing the lock plate in a position on the ball, and in another position allows the first connector to be moved relative to the ball. The mount permits orientation of a speaker in a variety of positions relative to a support structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: RGB Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David Pincek, Andrew C. Edwards, William Cameron Stewart, Jr., Xiaozheng Lu, Stanley S. Coe
  • Publication number: 20080286477
    Abstract: A ball stud having a ball at one end of a rod-shaped stud. The ball stud comprises: a metal plating film formed on the surface of the stud; and a trivalent chromate film continuously formed over both the surface of the metal plating film formed on the stud and the surface of the ball, whereby rust is inhibited in the boundary of the metal plating film. An externally threaded portion is also coated, if formed in the ball stud, on its surface with the metal plating film and the trivalent chromate film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Hirotaka Hattori
  • Patent number: 7438491
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventor: Eagle Fan
  • Patent number: 7413201
    Abstract: The invention discloses a utility vehicle, in particular an agricultural tractor, with a steering system having single-wheel-suspended steering wheels, which are mounted on a respective wheel carrier (11). Each wheel carrier (11) may be swivelled about the axis of at least one rigidly connected bolt (18) and is connected via a ball-and-socket joint (9) on the at least one bolt, to a transverse steering element (1) that is articulated to the vehicle body. Associated with the ball-and-socket joint (9) is a steering angle sensor (22) comprising a rotatable input member (23), which is located at least approximately in the extension of the axis of the swivel bolt (18). The rotatable input member (23) is connected to the bolt via an entrainment element (25) that transmits the swivel motion of the bolt in an angularly precise manner to detect the current swivel position of the wheel carrier (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: AGCO GmbH
    Inventors: Erich Freytag, Bernd Glaser
  • Publication number: 20080181719
    Abstract: Disclosed is a component providing rotational, translational and angular movement to a shaft inserted therein. The component has a housing with a bearing aperture, the bearing aperture having an aperture axis, an inner concave surface and a placement ring surface. A combination joint including a hollow bearing and a placement ring are located at least partially within the bearing aperture. The hollow bearing has an outer convex surface adjacent to and at least partially in contact with the inner concave surface of the bearing aperture. The hollow bearing also has an aperture with a cylindrical inner surface. The placement ring has an outer surface adjacent to and at least partially in contact with the placement ring surface of the bearing aperture and has an inner concave bearing race surface adjacent to and at least partially in contact with the outer convex surface of the hollow bearing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Applicant: Z F Group North American Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: John Gleason, Reinhard Buhl, William Ryan
  • Patent number: 7325478
    Abstract: A piston carrier supports an elongated, slender piston rod for reciprocation in a pump cylinder to pump fluid into and out of the cylinder. The piston rod is made of a material such as sapphire or zircon and has a diameter less than about ten millimeters, and the pump can provide flows of from about 50 nanoliters to about 250 microliters per minute at pressures of several hundred bars. A drive motor rotates a threaded screw and a drive nut of a drive system applies a linear drive force to the piston carrier. A ball and socket connection between the drive system and the piston carrier avoids the need for precise alignment to prevent breakage of the fragile piston. A magnet in the socket holds the ball in place and avoids the need for a spring or other mechanical holder. The socket also includes a ring of a low reluctance material surrounding the ball to increase the magnetic retention force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Gilson, Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne Cautenet, Philippe De Talhouet
  • Patent number: 7320555
    Abstract: A cardan shaft structure with tightness adjustable functions has a through-hole passing through spheres located at both ends of the cardan shaft body, and a taper socket respectively installed into the opening end of each sphere. A bolt is inserted into both spheres and the body, fixed and locked together in conjunction with a nut. The cardan shaft structure works together with two clamping components wrapping around the spheres. When the sphere is being pushed against (or freed from) the inner wall of the clamping component by tightening (or loosing) the bolt so as to make the sphere either expand (or recover), the angle displacement of the clamping component becomes adjustable accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sercomm Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Chung Chang, Yi-Fei Yu
  • Patent number: 7300028
    Abstract: A tripod head includes a cylindrical housing 1 having connection member at one end for a tripod, a ball joint (2) rotatably and pivotally arranged in the housing (1), a bearing element (4) for the ball joint (2), having a sliding surface (7) contacting the circumference of the ball joint (2) and arranged so as to be axially displaceable and rotatable in the housing (1), and a device (5) for fixing the ball joint (2) and having a support (6) for the bearing element 4 and an adjusting device (25) in operative connection with the support (6) in order to displace the bearing element against the ball joint to achieve the clamping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Philippe Vogt
  • Patent number: 7226233
    Abstract: A snap-in coupling for releasably connecting a first structural member and a second structural member. The snap-in coupling comprises a female coupling member comprising a plastic support member and a metallic spring clamp, said support member being insertable into a socket provided at said first structural member such that the female coupling member is retained therein, and a male coupling member comprising a mounting portion for being fixed to said second structural member, and a head portion. Said spring clamp and said head portion are arranged to snappingly engage each other when said female coupling member and said male coupling member are inserted into each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Bollhoff Verbindungstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer SuBenbach, Jochen Rintelmann, Hans-Joachim Dembowsky, Martin Jodeleit
  • 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: 7121755
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Synthes (U.S.A.)
    Inventors: Fridolin Schlapfer, Renzo Defranceschi
  • Patent number: 6767153
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Inventor: Dana W. Holbrook
  • Patent number: 6760941
    Abstract: An accessory attachment device for a magnetic retrieval tool includes a ferrous base member having a substantially flat surface for magnetically securing to a magnetic tool and an accessory attachment member extending from the surface; and an accessory member connected to the attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Inventor: Edward S. Coleman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6736049
    Abstract: A piston carrier supports an elongated, slender piston rod for reciprocation in a pump cylinder to pump fluid into and out of the cylinder. The piston rod is made of a material such as sapphire or zircon and has a diameter less than about ten millimeters, and the pump can provide flows of from about 50 nanoliters to about 250 microliters per minute at pressures of several hundred bars. A drive motor rotates a threaded screw and a drive nut of a drive system applies a linear drive force to the piston carrier. A ball and socket connection between the drive system and the piston carrier avoids the need for precise alignment to prevent breakage of the fragile piston. A magnet in the socket holds the ball in place and avoids the need for a spring or other mechanical holder. The socket also includes a ring of a low reluctance material surrounding the ball to increase the magnetic retention force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Gilson, Inc.
    Inventors: Etienne Cautenet, Philippe De Talhouet
  • Publication number: 20040076464
    Abstract: A coupling member includes a body having a socket for receiving a mating ball with the body including a recess for receiving a cam member over which a generally C-shaped spring extends. The body includes slots for receiving the ends of the C-shaped spring which engage a ball for locking the coupling member to the ball. The cam includes a lever which is operator accessed for rotating the cam to move the spring from a locking position to an unlocking position with respect to the body and ball to which the body is coupled for allowing the end of the body attached, for example, to a gas assist strut to be removed from the mating ball.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Steven D. Jones, Glen R. Wilkinson, James E. Doyle
  • Patent number: 6568871
    Abstract: A spherical joint for coupling three or more links together at one point. The joint includes a bail and a hollow spherical body wrapping the ball therein. The ball is movable in the hollow spherical body. An upper link inserted into and fixed to the hollow spherical body through an upper link insertion opening formed on the hollow spherical body. Lower links are connected to the hollow spherical body through lower link insertion openings, wherein the number of the lower links correspond to that of the hollow spherical body. Link support discs are set within a gap between outer surface of the central ball and inner surface of the hollow spherical body and fixed to each end of the lower link, and all the axes of the lower links and the upper link are coincident with a center point of the ball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Se-Kyong Song, Dong-Soo Kwon, Wan Soo Kim