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

Abstract: A bearing system for a water lance of a water lance blower contains a ball joint having a ball with a surface and a diameter. The ball further has a passage, on and/or in which the water lance can be disposed. The bearing system is characterized in that a ball seat is provided and contains two axially interspaced bearing shells each of which has an opening, whereby the ball protrudes at least partially into the openings. A method for operating the bearing system that seals gaps, which can occur as the ball rotates, between the surface of the ball and the spherical contact surface of the at least one bearing shell. The bearing shells enable the bearing system to be easily assembled, and the small contact surfaces reduce the amount of friction during operation. In addition, the bearing system is also suited for use as a seal.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint incorporating a detent mechanism that provides positive biasing toward a desired position. The ball and socket joint can be used in flexible supports that hold and support items such as lamps, tools and faucets. The detent mechanism comprises two corresponding parts, one in the ball portion and the second in the socket portion of the joint. The first detent part is a protrusion of some type and the second detent part is a groove or indentation that is adapted to accept and engage the protrusion. If the ball contains the detent protrusion, then the socket contains the detent indentation. And conversely, if the socket contains the detent protrusion, then the ball contains the detent indentation. The detent tensioning force can be provided by a spring, a spring band, the characteristics of the material from which the joint is made, or by some other similar tensioning device.

Abstract: A sunshade comprises a supporting rod, a tube supported by the supporting rod, an elbow connected to an end of the tube, and a canopy support frame. A vertical section of the elbow includes two spaced lugs having a space therebetween, an upper wall defining the space including a toothed section. The canopy support frame includes an upper support base having ribs attached thereto for supporting a canopy, a lower support base having stretchers attached thereto for supporting the ribs, and a suspension member fixed to the upper support base to move therewith. The suspension member includes a toothed portion for releasable engagement with the toothed section of the elbow. The toothed portion of the suspension member is engaged with the toothed section of the elbow when the canopy reaches a fully open state.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable keyboard to be used, for example, at a computer terminal. The preferred embodiment is in the form of a keyboard having a number of keys, the keyboard being formed in at least two segments which are mutually movable relative to one another using a hinge or joint. Each of the segments of the keyboard has mounted thereon some of the keys. The relatively movable nature of the keyboard aims at reducing stress and discomfort to the user by eliminating contortion to the user's wrists. More particularly, discomfort to the user caused by pronation of the wrists and/or ulnar deviation of the wrists is reduced. The hinge or joint may be in the form of a ball and socket-type joint with a locking mechanism, which preferably includes a pivoted handle, in the form of a lever, used for locking and unlocking the hinge or joint.

Abstract: A cylindrical body has a first part-spherical socket portion in the top, fittingly receiving a ball. A ball retainer has a second part-spherical socket portion facing the first part-spherical socket portion and receiving the ball therein. A post has a proximal end fixed to the ball and extends radially outward from the ball and away from the body to a distal end, and has screw threads at the distal end to receive a fastener thereon for attachment of an object to the distal end of the post. The ball-in-socket mounting of the post enables freely swiveling the ball and thereby the swiveling the distal end of the post to an infinite number of loci in a spherical envelope centered at the center of the ball, as well as enabling the post, and any object mounted to the post, to be rotated on a radial line from the center of the ball to the location of mounting of the object to the post. The body has a hydraulic cylinder in the bottom receiving a piston.

Abstract: A ball and socket joint incorporating a detent mechanism that provides positive biasing toward a desired position. The ball and socket joint can be used in flexible supports that hold and support items such as lamps, tools and faucets. The detent mechanism comprises two corresponding parts, one in the ball portion and the second in the socket portion of the joint. The first detent part is a protrusion of some type and the second detent part is a groove or indentation that is adapted to accept and engage the protrusion. If the ball contains the detent protrusion, then the socket contains the detent indentation. And conversely, if the socket contains the detent protrusion, then the ball contains the detent indentation. The detent tensioning force can be provided by a spring, a spring band, the characteristics of the material from which the joint is made, or by some other similar tensioning device.

Abstract: A cylindrical body has a first part-spherical socket portion in the top, fittingly receiving a ball. A ball retainer has a second part-spherical socket portion facing the first part-spherical socket portion and receiving the ball therein. A post has a proximal end fixed to the ball and extends radially outward from the ball and away from the body to a distal end, and has screw threads at the distal end to receive a fastener thereon for attachment of an object to the distal end of the post. The ball-in-socket mounting of the post enables freely swiveling the ball and thereby the swiveling the distal end of the post to an infinite number of loci in a spherical envelope centered at the center of the ball, as well as enabling the post, and any object mounted to the post, to be rotated on a radial line from the center of the ball to the location of mounting of the object to the post.

Abstract: A cylindrical body has a first part-spherical socket portion in the top, fittingly receiving a ball. A ball retainer has a second part-spherical socket portion facing the first part-spherical socket portion and receiving the ball therein. A post has a proximal end fixed to the ball and extends radially outward from the ball and away from the body to a distal end, and has screw threads at the distal end to receive a fastener thereon for attachment of an object to the distal end of the post. The ball-in-socket mounting of the post enables freely swiveling the ball and thereby the swiveling the distal end of the post to an infinite number of loci in a spherical envelope centered at the center of the ball, as well as enabling the post, and any object mounted to the post, to be rotated on a radial line from the center of the ball to the location of mounting of the object to the post.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a ball-and-socket joint, which has a housing, a ball pivot 3 mounted pivotably in the housing, and a sealing bellows 1, which is fastened to the housing and is mounted on the ball pivot 3 slidably via a sealing ring 4 provided with two legs 5, 6. A first leg 5 of the two legs 5, 6 is in contact with the ball pivot 3 under tension and the second leg 6 meshes with the wall of the sealing bellows 1. The second leg 6 is, furthermore, fastened in an anchoring ring 7 arranged at least partially in the wall of the sealing bellows 1.

Abstract: A multi-positionable mounting device that provides a substantially stable, load-bearing but relatively adjustable ball and socket mounting device. An interior surface of the socket is formed of first and second opposing part hemispherical socket portions that are relatively orientable with one another for forming therebetween a part spherical cavity. The interior surface of one socket portion is formed with multiple facets at a predetermined radial distance from a spherical center point of the cavity. The first and second opposing part hemispherical socket portions are securable in a relationship which forms the part spherical cavity therebetween. A part-spherical coupler substantially fills the spherical cavity. The mechanical securing means applies clamping force that acts between the first and second opposing socket portions and secures the coupler therebetween in fixed orientation with one of the faceted socket portion.

Abstract: A pedicle screw assembly for use with a rod for the immobilization of bone segments. The assembly is composed of a screw, a polyaxial housing for receiving the screw, a washer, a set screw, and a cup-shaped cap. The lower portion of the housing terminates in a reduced cross-sectional area, which engages the bottom of the screw head. When the screw is placed inside the polyaxial housing and the screw is secured into the bone, the polyaxial housing is pivotable with three degrees of freedom. The housing includes a top portion with a pair of upstanding internally threaded posts. A washer is inserted between the head of the screw and the rod. A cap, having a bottom, with a pair of posts accommodating openings and a lateral cross connector, is placed over the posts so that the cross connector engages the rod. The cross connector and washer have concave generally semicylindrical rod engaging surfaces to prevent the rod from rotating or sliding within the housing once the set screw is tightened.

Abstract: A wiper arm for a pivotably connected wiper blade has a fastening part (10) for fastening to a drive shaft (12), by inserting the drive shaft through a widening indentation (38) of the fastening part (10), and a screw nut (44 tenses the fastening part (10) against a bearing face (30) to the drive shaft (12) via a clamping part (40, 50) that is adapted to the indentation (38), and also the contact face (66) between the clamping part (40, 50) and the fastening part (10) forms a part of the surface of a sphere, and the bearing face (30) forms a part of a jacket face of a cylinder, whose cylinder axis (32) extends through the center point (36) of the sphere and parallel to the longitudinal direction (34) of the wiper blade.

Abstract: An angle adjusting mechanism for hanging parasols includes a hollow housing member and an anchor means located in the housing member. An adjusting element with a turning member located at a lower end thereof is housed in the housing member for fastening a supporting bracket. The turning member may be turned for a selected displacement in the housing member to change the angle of a hanging parasol relative to the supporting bracket to block sunshine, and a displacement element of the anchor means may be moved to constrict the adjusting element at a selected position to keep the hanging parasol stationary at the selected angle.

Abstract: In an angularly adjustable, releasably lockable ball joint, the ball has a surface covered with polygonal patterns of spaced apart protuberances, the protuberances defining concavities. An actuator tip is provided to penetrate at least one concavity and simultaneously contact the protuberances in the pattern to lock the ball and actuator together, thereby fixing the orientation of shanks attached to the ball and actuator.

Abstract: Discloses a multi-joint arm-like support including a mount connecting to an elongate first limb section by a paired ball-and-socket joint, or shoulder joint. The first limb section is connected to a second limb section by a rotatable joint or elbow joint. The second limb section has a ball-and-socket joint connecting to an instrument mount. The joints include fluid activated locks to enable the arm to be freely moveable when the fluid activated locks are released and locked in position when the fluid activated locks are activated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for spatial positioning and alignment of a two-part ball and socket joint (2) comprising a socket (3) as a first part and a solid ball (4) as a second part which is received in the socket (3) such that it can be turned and pivoted.

Abstract: A movable prosthetic limb includes a drive linkage which is configured to move the prosthetic limb. An ultrasonic drive motor is coupled to the drive linkage and powers the drive linkage. The ultrasonic motor is non-backdrivable and has high torque at low speeds. Specifically, a prosthetic limb uses an ultrasonic motor to drive an elbow joint or prosthetic fingers. A movable prosthetic wrist includes a base configured to be coupled to an amputee. An ultrasonic drive motor is attached to the base, and a hand piece is attached to the ultrasonic drive motor to form a wrist joint. In this configuration, the ultrasonic drive motor directly moves the wrist joint. A harmonic drive can also be used for gear reduction in the wrist joint.

Abstract: A trolling motor column is supported in a support frame by virtue of the ball and socket connection. The column passes through the ball. The ball has a bore through which the column extends. The column may be secured in different positions to the bore or a tube which extends from the bore in the ball. The support framework houses the socket which surrounds the ball. A clutch mechanism is provided to regulate the degree of force required to displace the ball within the socket. A neutral or vertical position indicator on the ball and socket is provided to easily reposition the column to near vertical after an encounter with an underwater object. As a result, the column can flex in a multiplicity of planes around a 360° circle.

Abstract: A clamp that is particularly suitable for automated manufacturing or assembly environments, such as on a transfer press, includes a first and a second clamp which engage each other via a joint. The joint is adapted to allow the first and second clamps to both pivot and rotate with respect to each other. A third clamp fits over the joint and selectively secures the first and second clamps in a desired orientation when the third clamp is tightened. The joint may be a ball and socket joint.

Abstract: A positionable arm composed of multiple member segments connected by an adjustable joint which may be fixedly positioned and repeatedly repositioned. The first member includes an end portion defining a first connector opening and an inner surface defining a chamber. A slideable piston provided in the first member includes a first end and a second end, the first end being adjacent the chamber and creating a seal along the inner surface of the first member. A rotatable connector is received in the first member between the second end of said piston and the end portion of the first member, and a second member is attached to the rotatable connector. To position the arm, a pressurized fluid source supplies compressed air to the chamber, which presses the piston against the rotatable connector, fixedly clamping the connector between the piston and the end portion of the first chamber.

Abstract: A joint for an articulated mechanism includes a housing and a rotatable member within the housing. There is a friction member mounted on the housing between the housing and the rotatable member. There is a spring normally biasing the friction member against the rotatable member to inhibit the rotation of the rotatable member. There is an actuator within the housing operatively coupled to the housing. The actuator member moves the friction member away from the rotatable member when actuated to facilitate rotation of the rotatable member. A plurality of joints are used to connect together a series of shafts, some of which may be equipped with clamps or other tools for securing workpieces.

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: An attachment element, including a base (1) having a bearing surface (14), a clamping member (3), and a ball (4) extending through a through-bore formed in the clamping member (3) an axis of which extends transverse to the bearing surface (14), with the ball (4) having a connection member (5) and a counter-support (88), and with the connection member (5) being rotatable relative to the ball (4) and having, at a region thereof adjacent to the base (1), a bearing element (7) projecting into the counter-support (8).

Abstract: The device is a section connector for building structures, such as, for instance, a rafter assembly section connector for winter gardens or the like, with the aid of which a hollow section can be attached to another hollow or solid section at variable angles. An inset equipped with a ball head is firmly attached to one section. Using the ball head, the inset is connected to a structural part attached to another section in such a way that it can pivot.

Abstract: Discloses a paired ball and socket joint assembly where the balls of the ball pair are interconnected by a rigid connecting member. Each socket housing is rotatably and angularly displaceable about its associated ball. The paired ball and socket joint apparatus permits greater range of rotational and angular movement between the socket housings than can be provided by a single ball and socket apparatus.

Abstract: A joint for an articulated mechanism includes a housing and a rotatable member within the housing. There is a friction member mounted on the housing between the housing and the rotatable member. There is a spring normally biasing the friction member against the rotatable member to inhibit the rotation of the rotatable member. There is an actuator within the housing operatively coupled to the housing. The actuator member moves the friction member away from the rotatable member when actuated to facilitate rotation of the rotatable member. A plurality of joints are used to connect together a series of shafts, some of which may be equipped with clamps or other tools for securing workpieces.

Abstract: A gear catching for a shift transmission in a motor vehicle including a rotatably mounted shift lever and bearing. The catching includes a substantially spherical body having at least one cam at the shift lever or a bearing shell enclosing it. The cam catches in a catch cam. The catch cam or cam is constructed in a springing manner and, due to catching, gives the driver a clear sense of shifting.

Abstract: The locking joint mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,767 is improved by including elements that prevent roll of one joint member relative to another joint member. The roll preventing elements include at least one actuator head or pin spaced from another actuator head or pin and which is received in a concavity defined between adjacent protuberances. Various protuberance patterns and overall operating mechanisms are also disclosed.

Abstract: A joint mechanism and connector includes a rounded member having at least one concavity and which is connected to a first part, at least one actuator having a tip that is received in the concavity to lock a second part connected to the actuator to the first part. The rounded member has a recess defined thereon which receives spherical members on the rounded member. The actuator tip is received in concavities defined by the spherical members.

Abstract: In an angularly adjustable, releasably lockable ball joint, the ball has a surface covered with polygonal patterns of spaced apart protuberances, the protuberances define concavities. An actuator tip is provided to penetrate at least one concavity and simultaneously contact the protuberances if the pattern to lock the ball and actuator together, thereby fixing the orientation of shanks attached to the ball and actuator.

Abstract: A modular backrest system for a wheelchair is removably attached to backrest posts of the wheelchair. The backrest system includes a back support that provides a surface against which the back of a wheelchair user rests, and a support chassis mounted to the back support for supporting the back support at a desired incline with respect to the posts, and at a desired seat depth with respect to the seat. An attachment assembly is further included that is operably connected to the support chassis at two locations and to the posts to allow the support chassis and back support to be readily removed from or attached to the chair. The particular back support employed in conjunction with the support chassis is based upon the support needs of the wheelchair user. One embodiment of the back support includes a backing plate, and a cushion or insert attached to a forwardly presented face of the backing plate against which the back of the individual rests when sitting on the seat.

Abstract: A ball-compression grommet is disclosed which is used for mounting an object, such as an electrical or fiber optic cable, through a panel access hole. The ball-compression grommet allows the object to rotate to a wide variety of desired angles with respect to the panel surface, while maintaining an environmental seal against moisture and other contaminants found in outdoor environments. The ball-compression grommet comprises a spherical object having a passage formed substantially through its center. A threaded sleeve and nut are then used to capture the spherical object therebetween, while allowing rotation in relation to the nut and threaded sleeve. Both the threaded sleeve and the nut have an inside portion which is shaped to fit the contour of the spherical object. The spherical object is free to rotate in relation to the threaded sleeve/nut assembly, while at the same time forming an environmental seal from a compression fitting that results between the spherical object and the threaded sleeve.

Abstract: The half-ball type universally-movable tripod head for supporting cameras comprises a base (22), a platform (17) and a universally positioning means (23). The universally positioning means (23) comprises mainly an upper joint and a lower joint respectively having a half ball (3,4) with locking ball (1,2) in it and a socket (5,6), a supporting stand (15) between said two joints, a controlling handle (9), tension rods (7,8) having positive or negative thread respectively, and a nut (10) with positive and negative threads at opposite ends. The rod (7,8) is controlled by turning the handle (9) for tensioning or releasing the two half balls, so that the two joints can be locked or unlocked and the camera can be instantly immobilized as well as smoothly triaxially rotated.

Abstract: A shading device includes an abbreviated height umbrella having a articulating ball attachment structure on both its upper and lower sides and attached to a pivoting arm through a series of universal connectors and joints having spherical articulating balls secured in articulating ball joints with tension force provided by joint retention screws. The umbrella can be either supported from the bottom or suspended from the top, to provide maximum articulation. A tripod folding stand has a body having an upper ribbed member for engagement with the clamp, and a series of three legs pivotally attached at an upper portion of the body and struts attached at a lower portion between the legs and body. The ends of the legs have pivotal spikes which can be pivoted to an open direction and directed into dirt or sand or other material, or used as hold down extensions.

Abstract: An improved ball jointed link includes a male ball at one end which is received in a female socket in an adjacent link. A central aperture extends through each of the links between the male ball and the female socket. The male ball is preferably more resistant to radially inward deformation than the female socket. A clamp which secures adjacent links together may thus be tightened to support relatively great loads. The male ball may have a greater wall thickness than the female socket, or may be formed of hardened metal. In a further feature, the clamps used to secure adjacent links have a ledge which abuts an axially forwardmost edge of the female socket to ensure the clamp is properly positioned on the links.

Abstract: A construction system where elements have connection components for a ball-to-socket or socket-to-socket connection. The ball-to-socket connection "locks" at orientations when one or more detents in the interior of the socket protrude into one or more of a plurality of dimples on the ball. The construction elements generally have an elongated body with a dimpled ball at one end and a socket at the other end, or dimpled balls at both ends, or sockets at both ends. In addition to the ball-and-socket connection, elements may connect in a socket-to-body connection, or a number of different types of socket-to-socket connections. The socket has at least two petals with a lip contour such that in one type of socket-to-socket connection the pair of sockets interlock to form a sphere. The irregular shape of the lip of the socket allows a ball to be leveraged out of a socket, and make orientations over at least 2.pi. steradians available in a ball-to-socket interconnection.

Abstract: A prosthetic system including a novel connector is provided comprising a first prosthetic member such as a pylon tube having a first male end, an extending member such as a prosthetic bolt having a proximal end and a distal end, the male end of the first prosthetic member having an opening therein for receiving the distal end of the bolt, and a second prosthetic base member have a female contact surface for receiving the male end of the first prosthetic member and for anchoring the proximal end of the bolt. The bolt is generally fixed in position relative to the second prosthetic member while the first prosthetic member is movable relative to the second prosthetic member. The bolt may be tightened to releasably lock the first prosthetic member in a fixed position relative to the second prosthetic member.

Abstract: An adjustable leg assembly comprises an outer tube and an inner tube subassembly. The inner tube assembly comprises an inner tube, a floor support at one end of the inner tube, an expandable bushing at an opposite end of the inner tube, a rod extending through the inner tube and secured to the bushing and threadedly engaged with the floor support. The inner tube subassembly is inserted into the outer tube such that the bushing is confined within the outer tube and can be expanded into and retracted from contact with the outer tube by turning the floor support relative to the inner tube. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the floor support is a glide/tightener that provides a floor glide to support the leg assembly and that provides a tightener that is threadedly engaged with the bushing rod.

Abstract: A coupling member for joining a first article to a second article comprising first and second elongate arms that are pivotally connectable to a main housing via ball and socket joints. Each arm has one end formed for connection to one of the articles and the other end adapted to be engaged in the ball and socket joint. A locking system is also provided to lock the arms in position with respect to the main housing after the arms have been connected between the first and second articles to create a rigid connection between the first and second articles. The pivotable nature of the coupling member allows for a connection to be made between the first and second articles to be joined without the articles being in perfect alignment whereupon the locking system is applied to create a rigid link.

Abstract: A coupling for mounting and positioning photographic, motion picture and video accessories and the like. A receiving base couples the positioning head to an equipment stand shaft, the receiving base being rotatable about the axis of the stand shaft. A first terminus of the receiving base incorporates an axially oriented beveled surface which is disposed within a cylindrical bore disposed through the head housing. The receiving base is maintained within the cylindrical bore in the housing through the engagement of and the force imposed thereon by an impinging stud bearing upon the beveled surface. A support post is mounted within the cylindrical bore of the housing extending outwardly in opposition to the receiving base. The end of the support shaft extending from the housing is fully rotatable about its interface with the housing.

Abstract: A device for adjusting a length or inclination of a support for a percussion musical instrument, including an articulated ball formed of a plurality of sector members forming a central channel for receiving an adjusting rod-shaped member, clamping jaws having inner surfaces defining a socket for retaining the articulated ball and forming therewith a ball-and-socket joint, and a tensioning element for actuating the clamping jaws.

Abstract: A positioning device, particularly for positioning an object head in a cryostat microtome, has a mechanism for selectively positioning an object or specimen to be worked upon. The device includes a ball and socket joint having two spherical half shells pivotally holding the ball between the shells. An object head is connected to the ball. A clamp is operatively associated with the two spherical half shells to maintain the ball in position relative to the shells. A cross-joint is connected to the ball, diametrically opposite to the object head. The positioning mechanism includes rotatably geared or threaded members controlled with handles to independently position the object head in the x- and y-directions or paths.

Abstract: The invention embraces the incorporation of kinematic fixturing elements into cores as for the precise casting of components, where typically the cores are much softer than metal, and typically the cores are sacrificial (they are destroyed during the casting process) whereby kinematic coupling grooves are located in each of the to-be-mated surfaces of a pair of core elements, such that when a ball is placed in each of the pairs of grooves, and the elements are brought together, even with coarse axial location of the ball in the grooves, very precise relative location of the two cores is obtained; and then, when a clamping force is applied to the cores, the balls create deformation of the core grooves, and the surfaces on the two cores come together into intimate contact.

Abstract: A device for joining a steering bar end piece to a basic steering bar comprises a basic steering bar clamp and a steering bar end piece clamp, the latter being arranged relative to the basic steering bar clamp in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the steering bar end piece clamp does not intersect the outline of the basic steering bar clamp, the two clamps being connected by a transition piece.In order to provide steering bar end pieces which are ergonomically shaped to put enough pressure on the front wheel of a bicycle on hard climbs, and yet obtain an unrestricted gripping space and a bar width which is not unduly increased, the transition piece is contiguous to the side of the basic steering bar clamp facing away from the basic steering bar, and extends essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the basis steering bar clamp, and has the steering bar end piece clamp located on the side facing away from the basic steering bar.

Abstract: A sun shield swivel apparatus is used inside a vehicle for shielding sunlight or on coming vehicle headlights from the eyes of the driver. The sun shield swivel apparatus has a clamping member, an inner swinging arm, an outer telescoping swinging arm, a first universal joint assembly connected between the inner swinging arm and the outer telescopic swinging arm, a sun screen and a second universal joint assembly connected between the outer telescopic swinging arm and the sun screen. The sun shield swivel apparatus can be swiveled to any position imaginable inside the vehicle because of the universal joint assemblies and the outer telescopic swinging arm, thereby allowing the user to position the sun screen to any desired location.

Abstract: In an angularly adjustable, releasably lockable ball joint, the ball has a surface covered with regular polygonal patterns of spaced-apart protrusions. The protrusions each define a concavity. An actuator tip is provided to penetrate the concavity and simultaneously contact all of the protuberances of the pattern to lock the ball and actuator together, thereby fixing the orientation of shanks attached to the ball and actuator.

Abstract: A highly rigid structure is provided using six struts connected at three er and three lower nodes to upper and lower support structures. The joint assemblies are formed by half-spherical balls attached to the ends of each of the struts, and retained within cylindrical apertures, such that the center lines of the struts intersect at the nodes. Bending loads on the struts are thus eliminated, while the design and construction of the structure is substantially simplified.

Abstract: A lockable ball joint apparatus including a ball and a ball receiving cavity and at least one annular clamp ring in the casing extending around the ball. The clamp ring has a spherically concave inner clamping surface engaging the outer surface of the ball and a frusto-conical outer surface. An annular cam extends around the clamp ring and has a frusto-conical inner surface engaging the frusto-conical outer surface of the clamp ring. The annular cam is formed on an annular piston and springs are provided for moving the annular piston and cam axially in a first direction to diametrically compress the clamp ring into clamping engagement with the ball, and fluid pressure is applied to the annular piston for moving the annular cam means axially in a second direction to release the clamp ring from clamping engagement with the ball.

Abstract: A connecting part of a ball joint between leg prosthesis components with a flange intended to fasten to the one component, the flange having an adjusting element position on it, consisting of a cup and a four-sided pyramid positioned centrally upon its point. To improve the adjustability of the connecting part, the flange is a rectangular flange with four holes, upon which the adjusting element is eccentrically positioned.